work over

verb

worked over; working over; works over

transitive verb

1

: to subject to thorough examination, study, or treatment

shelf stock worked over by shoppers

2

: to do over : rework

saved the play by working the first act over

3

: to beat up or manhandle with thoroughness

My boxing opponent worked me over in the ring.

Synonyms of work over

• lick
• hide
• pound
• lash
• do
• hit
• punch out
• beat
• whip
• attack
• knock
• assault
• pelt
• batter
• slap
• punch
• thump
• bat
• beat up on

Examples of work over in a Sentence

the mob boss's thugs really worked him over

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s really getting worked over until a collapsing building separates them. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

In a lovely new interview, titans of manga Rumiko Takahashi and Junji Ito discuss their work over some tea. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

How interest works over time Early payments go mostly toward interest and shift toward principal over time. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

This reflects the administration's new strategy favoring American businesses for global health work over nongovernmental organizations. — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for work over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover