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

On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News that Beckstrom had volunteered to work over the Thanksgiving holiday. —Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025

In theory, the growth in the number of women eligible to work over this period should have expanded participation. —Katica Roy, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025

Had a lot of trouble with my work over the years. —Literary Hub, 17 Nov. 2025

Now that the excavation is complete, the road connection extending from Kentucky Avenue to the bridge is expected to be complete by the end of next year and bridge work over the river is expected to be mostly finished by that time. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 14 Nov. 2025

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