english
1
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Phrase(s): 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?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
Beat up, as in The secret police worked him over and he's never been the same. [c. 1920]
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs