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

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

ComEd was able to restore power to the wider area within several hours and worked over night to replace the pole, repair remaining damage and restore power to the animal hospital and BP station. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Iraola was deemed the outstanding candidate to replace Slot based on his body of work over three seasons at Bournemouth. — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 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