work over
work over
1. To revise or begin something again in order to improve it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "work" and "over." To be honest, your thesis is such a mess that I would suggest working it over from scratch. Taking my editor's notes onboard, I began working over the first draft of my latest novel.
2. To subject someone to intense verbal or physical assault. A noun or pronoun can be used between "work" and "over." Man, the boss really worked me over for messing up that client's account. The mafia leader sent a couple of goons to work over the witness so that she wouldn't testify in court.
3. To completely best, overpower, or dominate someone or something, as in a conflict. The home team worked over their opponents from the beginning of the game straight through to the end. Many feel that the senator worked the president over in the debate.
See also: over, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
work someone or something over
to give someone or something a thorough examination or treatment. The doctor really worked me over but couldn't find anything wrong. They worked over the patient but found nothing.
See also: over, work
work someone over
1. to threaten, intimidate, or beat someone. Walt threatened to work Sam over. Max had worked over Sam, and Sam knew that this was no idle threat.
2. . to give someone's body a thorough examination or treatment. The doctors worked her over to the tune of $1,500, but couldn't find anything wrong with her. The dermatologist worked over her entire body looking for moles.
See also: over, work
work something over
to rework something. He saved the play by working the second act over. Would you work over this report and see if you can improve it?
See also: over, work
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
work over
Beat up, as in The secret police worked him over and he's never been the same. [c. 1920]
See also: over, work
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
work over
v.
1. To do something for a second time; rework something: The studio requested that we work the film over and give it a happy ending.
2. To dominate one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or competition: Our team really worked their team over in the final game of the season. We need to get more defensive, or they'll work us over.
3. To criticize, scold, or ridicule someone harshly: The sergeant will work you over if you don't stand at attention.
4. Slang To inflict severe physical damage on someone or something; beat up someone or something: If you don't do what the gang leader tells you to do, he'll work you over.
See also: over, work
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
work someone over
1. tv. to threaten, intimidate, or beat someone. Bruno had worked over Terry, and Sam knew that this was no idle threat.
2. tv. to give someone’s body a thorough examination or treatment. The doctors worked her over to the tune of $1,500 but couldn’t find anything wrong with her.
See also: over, someone, work
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- involve with
- involve with (someone or something)
- involved with
- mac out
- mack out
- replenish
- replenish (someone or something) with (something)
- replenish with
- arrange for
- arrange some music for