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

• bash
• baste
• bat
• batter
• beat
• belabor
• belt
• birch
• bludgeon
• buffet
• bung up
• club
• curry
• do
• drub
• fib [British]
• flog
• hammer
• hide
• lace
• lambaste
• lambast
• lash
• lather
• lick
• maul
• mess (up)
• paddle
• pelt
• pommel
• pound
• pummel
• punch out
• rough (up)
• slate
• slog
• switch
• tan
• thrash
• thresh
• thump
• tromp
• wallop
• whale
• whip
• whop
• whap
• whup

Examples of work over in a Sentence

the mob boss's thugs really worked him over

Recent Examples on the Web

Shipley said on Monday that the district is on track to complete about $40 million worth of capital work over the summer and into the fall. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

He’s done exceptional work over a long period at the Emirates, taking Arsenal from mid-table to Premier League and Champions League title contenders, but has not won a trophy since the 2020 FA Cup. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Aldridge’s work over the last two decades will also be going on display at Sotheby’s, as well as at the Lyndsey Ingram Gallery, which is within walking distance of the auction house and gallery. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025

Layer Up Finding a good soft spring jacket that works over summer dresses is a game changer. —Felicity Carter, Forbes, 14 Mar. 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