inner workings

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inner workings pl (plural only)

1. The mechanisms that function internally to a system and are not outwardly visible

   Nobody really understands the inner workings of politics.

   • 2025 November 26, David Stubbings, “News: Rolling stock strategy 'will give clarity'”, in RAIL, number 1049, page 7:

     After more than 18 months in non-protected storage, they have needed significant patching and repair work to bodyshells and inner workings before they can enter service.

• “inner workings of”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “inner workings”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.