A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

at this minute • this minute
at this minute —(also: at the minute) at present; just now:
She’s feeding the baby at this minute.
this minute —at once; immediately: You don’t have to make
a decision this minute.
at this time • this time
at this time —at present; now: A local man is under suspicion
but there isn’t enough evidence to justify an arrest at this time.
Note:
The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase
at this time of day
— in present circumstances; when things have
reached the stage they now have: It’s no good changing our
minds at this time of day; we ought to have done that before.
this time —on this occasion: With the new scroll placed on
the bulletin board, all may see who made the honor roll this
time.
at work • in work
at work —
1
. at one’s place of employment: He’s at work now,
but he’ll be back at six. 2. engaged in a particular activity:
The poor woman was still hard at work at an ironing-table.
3. having a particular influence or effect: The same disastrous
processes are at work in the whole of this area.
in work —
1
. having employment: He has been out of work
for a year. He’ll be glad to be in regular work again. 2. in
process of preparation or completion: The company has three
films in work right now. 3. (of a horse) in training: I had two
horses in work during November and December.
Note: 
a) The expression does not fully correlate in meaning
with the phrase in the works— = in work 2: A plan of reor-
ganization is reported to be now in the works.
b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase
in labor—experiencing the pains and efforts of childbirth: Vane
had been in labor for eight hours before her twin daughters
were finally born.