Work over
verb
To exert effort in order to finish or perfect something.
I had to work over my essay a few times before it was ready for submission.
Often appears as...
- work over a problem
- work over an idea
verb
To be interrogate or roughly handle someone.
The police worked over the suspect but couldn't get any useful information from him.
Often appears as...
- work someone over
- work the suspect over
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
verb
To study or examine thoroughly.
I worked over the math problem until I found the solution.
Often appears as...
- work over the details
- work over homework
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To exert effort in order to finish or perfect something.
I had to work over my essay a few times before it was ready for submission.
Often appears as...
- work over a problem
- work over an idea
verb
To be interrogate or roughly handle someone.
The police worked over the suspect but couldn't get any useful information from him.
Often appears as...
- work someone over
- work the suspect over
Usage tips
Colloquial, Disapproving
verb
To study or examine thoroughly.
I worked over the math problem until I found the solution.
Often appears as...
- work over the details
- work over homework
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Time Intensive
'Work over' suggests the process may require a significant amount of time to improve.
You'll need to work over these draft designs quite a bit more.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Outcome
The phrase is often used with the expectation that the effort will lead to a better result.
Our team worked over the proposal, and now it's much more compelling.
Pro Tip 3/3Multiple Revisions
'Work over' can mean making several changes, not just one.
She worked over her painting several times before she was satisfied.
Pro Tip 1/3Time Intensive
'Work over' suggests the process may require a significant amount of time to improve.
You'll need to work over these draft designs quite a bit more.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Outcome
The phrase is often used with the expectation that the effort will lead to a better result.
Our team worked over the proposal, and now it's much more compelling.
Pro Tip 3/3Multiple Revisions
'Work over' can mean making several changes, not just one.
She worked over her painting several times before she was satisfied.
Pro Tip 1/3Time Intensive
'Work over' suggests the process may require a significant amount of time to improve.
You'll need to work over these draft designs quite a bit more.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Outcome
The phrase is often used with the expectation that the effort will lead to a better result.
Our team worked over the proposal, and now it's much more compelling.
Pro Tip 3/3Multiple Revisions
'Work over' can mean making several changes, not just one.
She worked over her painting several times before she was satisfied.
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