in the pipeline
Meaning
Being developed or processed and expected to happen or be delivered in the future.
Origin
From literal pipelines where material flows through stages; by the mid-20th century it broadened to mean items moving through a process (engineering, business, publishing) toward completion.
Notes
Common in business/tech to mean “in progress and moving through a process.” Implies likelihood but not certainty; sounds somewhat corporate/technical in casual talk.
Examples
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We have three new product features in the pipeline for the next release.
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A major renovation is in the pipeline, but we’re still waiting on permits.
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Several candidates are in the pipeline, so we should be able to fill the role soon.
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The studio has two sequels in the pipeline, though nothing has been announced yet.
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There’s more funding in the pipeline for community health programs.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Typically used predicatively: “X is in the pipeline,” “We have X in the pipeline.” Can modify nouns: “pipeline projects.” Often preceded by items like plans/features/deals; article usually “the.”
Synonyms
- in progress
- in development
- underway
- in the works
- in train
Antonyms
- off the table
- dead in the water
- scrapped
- completed