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

Stone emphasized her environmental work over the years, including efforts on the state level regarding building codes, serving on the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Readiness Task Force, pushing for solar energy locally and adding composting to trash pickup. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Spike noticed and took to Instagram to speak on the parallels between his work over the years and pgLang’s impressive production. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025

However, in the most recent slate of episodes, Dylan’s outie was revealed to be a decidedly less sure-of-himself figure who has struggled to maintain work over the years. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 1 Feb. 2025

Two key points stand out in Darnold’s Week 17 profile, the first being his work over the middle of the field. —Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2