work over

verb — 3 senses

work over

verb

1

To improve a prototype, or first draft.

The estimated figures are not bad, but somebody will have to work them over.

2

Idiomatic, Slang To physically attack in order to cause injury.

He'll talk, once we work him over.

3

Idiomatic, Slang To subject (a person) to a severe scolding, interrogation, beating, etc.

The desk sergeant worked him over pretty good and finally turned him over to the detective squad.2007, David Rogers, The Printer's Devil, page 175:

Synonyms: polish, rework, beat up

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.