working over

Verb

work over (third-person singular simple present works over, present participle working over, simple past and past participle worked over)

1. (transitive) To improve a prototype, or first draft.
   • The estimated figures are not bad, but somebody will have to work them over.

   Synonyms:

   polish, rework

2. (idiomatic, slang, transitive) To physically attack in order to cause injury.
   • He'll talk, once we work him over.

   Synonyms:

   beat up

3. (idiomatic, slang, transitive) 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