Work over Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈwɝk/ /ˈoʊvɝ

WURK OH-ver

UK

wˈɜːk/ /ˈəʊvɐ

WURK OH-vuh

Definition

To go through something carefully to improve or change it; informally, can also mean to beat someone up.

Usage & Nuances

Common in both formal and informal English. The first meaning is 'review carefully' (e.g., work over a report). In informal or slang, 'work over' someone means to physically beat them; this is less frequent and mainly in crime contexts.

• Spanish: revisar - repasar - dar una paliza (informal)
• Portuguese (BR): revisar - repassar - bater (gíria, agressão)
• Portuguese (PT): rever - repassar - dar uma tareia (gíria, agressão)
• Chinese (Simplified): 仔细检查 - 仔细修改 - 痛打（俚语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 仔細檢查 - 仔細修改 - 痛打（俚語）
• Hindi: ठीक से जाँचना - बार-बार देखना - पीटना (अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: مراجعة بدقة - تكرار مراجعة - ضرب بعنف (عامية)
• Bengali: খুঁটিয়ে দেখানো - মারধর করা
• Russian: тщательно проработать - избить (разг.)
• Japanese: 見直す - 暴行を加える（俗）
• Vietnamese: xem lại kỹ - hành hung (lóng)
• Korean: 꼼꼼히 손보다 - 두들겨 패다(속어)
• Turkish: gözden geçirmek - hırpalamak (argo)
• Urdu: غور سے دیکھنا - مارنا (غیر رسمی)
• Indonesian: memeriksa ulang - menganiaya (slang)

Example Sentences

I will work over this essay before turning it in.

basic

The team needs to work over the project again to fix the mistakes.

basic

Let me work over the details before we decide.

basic

My boss really worked over my proposal and found several issues.

natural

The thieves threatened to work over anyone who talked to the police.

natural

She worked over her speech until it was perfect.

natural