do over

do over — phrasal verb

1. to do something once more because you are not happy with how it turned out the f

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to do something once more because you are not happy with how it turned out the first time.

例句

I messed up the drawing, so I decided to do it over from scratch.

The teacher told Ananya to do the whole essay over because it was too short.

do + [noun phrase] + over

同義詞
  • re-do (as a verb)

    more formal; the one-word form is common in written instructions

  • start over

    emphasises beginning from the beginning rather than just repeating the task

文法句型

do + something + over

用法筆記

Common in informal speech for creative or domestic tasks such as cooking, drawing, writing, or recording. The object goes between 'do' and 'over'. This sense is closely related to the IDIOM entry DO OVER (do something again) — see the idioms section for the fixed-phrase usage.

常見錯誤

I did over the homework.
I did the homework over.
💡The object goes between 'do' and 'over', not after the phrasal verb.

2. to perform an action or process once more, usually in order to achieve a correct

2.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to perform an action or process once more, usually in order to achieve a correct or improved result.

例句

The experiment failed, so the lab team had to do it over from the beginning.

We could hear the band doing the same song over until it sounded just right.

同義詞
  • repeat

    more formal; used in academic and technical contexts

  • redo

    the one-word verb form; more common in writing

文法句型

do + something + over

用法筆記

More neutral and slightly more formal than REDO (INFORMAL) sense 1. Common in American English for work-related or procedural tasks. This sense does not carry a strong implication of dissatisfaction — it simply means doing something once more.

3. to physically attack someone, especially by hitting them repeatedly and causing

3.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to physically attack someone, especially by hitting them repeatedly and causing injury.

例句

A group of teenagers did him over outside the train station after school.

informal: do + pronoun + over

Witnesses said three men did the shopkeeper over and then ran down the street.

同義詞
  • beat up

    more common in US English; similar level of violence

  • rough up

    less severe, involves pushing and shoving rather than beating

文法句型

do + someone + over

用法筆記

Common in British and Australian informal speech. The object is always the person being attacked, placed between 'do' and 'over'.

常見錯誤

The gang did over him.
The gang did him over.
💡The pronoun must go between 'do' and 'over', not after the whole phrasal verb.

4. to change the appearance of a room or building by cleaning, decorating, or addin

4.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to change the appearance of a room or building by cleaning, decorating, or adding new features.

例句

The Watanabes decided to do over the kitchen with new tiles and wooden cabinets.

do over [room] with [materials]

We are planning to do over the living room before Grandma comes to visit.

同義詞
  • redesign

    more formal; focuses on planning the look

  • refurbish

    more formal; used for larger-scale renovations

文法句型

do + [room/area] + over

用法筆記

Most common in British English for home improvement contexts. The object is a room, floor, or area — not a piece of furniture or an object.

常見錯誤

We did over the old sofa.
We did over the living room.
💡This sense is used for rooms and areas, not individual objects.

5. to enter a building illegally and steal things from it.

5.片語動詞及物C1
釋義

to enter a building illegally and steal things from it.

例句

While they were on holiday, someone did over their flat and took all the jewelry.

Police believe the same gang did over three electronics shops last month.

slang: do over [place] for robbery

同義詞
  • burgle

    standard term; less informal

  • rob

    broader meaning; can apply to people as well as places

文法句型

do + [place] + over

用法筆記

Slang, most common in British English crime contexts. Frequently used in the passive form 'get done over'. The object is a building or place, not a person.