work over

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.

2. (transitive, slang) To physically attack in order to cause injury.

   He'll talk, once we work him over.

3. (transitive, slang) To subject (a person) to a severe scolding, interrogation, etc.
   • 2007, David Rogers, The Printer's Devil (page 175)

     The desk sergeant worked him over pretty good and finally turned him over to the detective squad.

• (improve): polish, rework
• (physically attack): beat up

• overwork