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., 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?, 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