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pipeline

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be in the pipeline

To be in progress. Don't worry, your raise is in the pipeline for next quarter. I hear some big changes are in the pipeline.

See also: pipeline

in the pipeline

Fig. backed up somewhere in a process; in process; in a queue. There's a lot of goods still in the pipeline. That means no more new orders will be shipped for a while. Your papers are in the pipeline somewhere. You'll just have to wait.

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in the pipeline

being developed According to the studio, there are ten films in the pipeline ready for release next year.

Related vocabulary: in the works

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be in the pipeline

if a plan is in the pipeline, it is being developed and will happen in the future We have several major property deals in the pipeline.

See also: pipeline

in the pipeline

1. In process, under way, as in The blueprints for the new machine are in the pipeline, but it will take months to get approval . [Colloquial; 1940s] Also see in the works.

2. Budgeted for something but not yet spent, as in There's $5 million more in the pipeline for the city schools. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

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in the pipeline

mod. backed up somewhere in a process; in process; in a queue. There are a lot of goods still in the pipeline. That means no more orders for a while.

See also: pipeline