Underway means that something has already started and is in progress. It is often used for projects, events, or journeys.
Probably from nautical use of "under way," referring to a ship that has begun moving through the water. Over time, the phrase fused into a single word for any process that has started.
Sailors said a ship was "under way" once it was actually moving, not just loaded and ready. Now we use the same idea for everything from construction projects to conversations: once it’s moving, it’s underway.
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