over

o|ver1 [ `ouvər ] function word ***

Over can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun or a pronoun):

a bridge over the river

Two men were fighting over her. (followed by a number or amount):

It happened over a hundred years ago.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

He fell over and broke his arm.

after the verb to be :

The semester will be over soon.

1. ) above someone/something

a ) in a higher position above someone or something, without touching them:

Perry glanced at the clock over the door.

We could see the Angolan flag flying over the governor's palace.

She came and stood over him as he lay on the bed.

The Simpsons live in an apartment over the store.

b ) moving across the space above someone or something:

Government troops fired a few shots over their heads.

Flocks of geese flew over, calling loudly.

─ opposite UNDER

2. ) on someone/something

a ) on someone or something and covering them:

She put her hands over her ears.

Carlson replaced the blanket over the dead man.

The roads were already covered over with a few feet of snow.

all over: She spilled coffee all over my new dress.

b ) hit/beat/knock someone over the head to deliberately hit the top of someone's head with an object:

She hit him over the head with a champagne bottle.

3. ) from one side of something to the other

a ) going or looking across from one side of something to the other:

Several bridges over the river were destroyed.

I crossed over to the other side of the street.

From your window there is a magnificent view over the gardens.

b ) crossing something high such as a wall or mountain:

Three prisoners had escaped by climbing over an 18-foot fence.

a four-day journey over the Taurus mountains

4. ) on the opposite side of something on the opposite side of an area, line, road, river, etc.:

Sandra's brother lives just over the road from our house.

The airport was right over on the far side of town.

5. ) into the opposite position

a ) from one lying position into another so that you face in a different direction:

He turned over and went to sleep.

Rolling over on my back, I looked up at the sky.

b ) used for saying that something moves into a position in which the side that was facing down now faces up:

He turned the card over and saw that it was the ace of spades.

The car skidded across the road and flipped over.

6. ) in or to many parts of something

a ) in or to many different parts of an area:

The drought has spread over much of the southern U.S..

all over: The festival attracts music-lovers from all over the world.

Children were rushing around wildly all over the place.

b ) visiting or looking at many different parts of something:

A senior manager showed us over the factory.

Engineers are busy checking over the equipment.

7. ) downward

a ) falling or bending down from an upright position:

I bent over to tie my shoe.

I've brought you a glass of milk. Don't knock it over.

Carey fell over and broke his leg while playing ice hockey.

b ) falling, hanging, or looking down from the edge of something:

Lava flowed over the rim of the volcano.

Aileen was lying unconscious on the bed with her legs hanging over the side.

I peered over the edge of the crater into the darkness below.

8. ) in or to a place in or to a particular place, for example a town or someone's home:

Why don't you come over and have dinner with us sometime?

I think the kids are over at Pam's place.

Lawrence walked over to the window and looked out.

over here/there: Helen was born in Australia, but she's been living over here for 11 years.

9. ) toward the side toward the side:

The main entrance is farther over on the left.

Pull over to the side of the road and let me drive.

The girl sitting next to me leaned over and whispered something in my ear.

Would you move over and make room for me?

10. ) when something has ended

1

a ) used for saying that a particular event, situation, or period of time has ended:

Moore's fourth marriage was over after only 18 months.

be all over: When the war began in August 1914, they said it would be all over by Christmas.

over and done with (=completely dealt with): We're all so relieved that the trial is over and done with.

1

b ) if you are over an illness, a shock, or a bad experience it has ended and you are no longer affected by it:

Losing her brother was a terrible shock and she isn't over it yet.

get over something: He'll soon get over his disappointment.

Malaria is a serious illness and you're not going to be over it in a couple of days.

11. ) controlling or influencing someone/something used for stating who or what is controlled or influenced by someone or something:

Kitchener demanded total control over the army.

The Church today has little influence over the way people lead their lives.

the period in which the Kaiser ruled over Germany

12. ) more than once

1

a ) if you do something over, you do it again:

We're going to scrap the whole plan and start over.

1

b ) over and over (again) many times:

They keep asking the same questions over and over again.

I read the report over and over, till I almost knew it by heart.

1

c ) twice over/three times etc. over doing something twice/three times etc.:

enough nuclear weapons to destroy all life on Earth ten times over

1

d ) all over again used for saying that you do all of something again starting from the beginning, or that the whole of a long process happens again:

If the teacher doesn't like your essay, you have to do it all over again.

13. ) concerning a particular subject, problem, etc. used for stating what people disagree about or what they feel worried, sad, happy, etc. about:

There are worries over the future of the steel industry.

We spent a whole hour arguing over the meaning of two words.

14. ) when something changes changing from one thing to another:

You row and I'll sit in the back of the boat and steer then later on we'll change over.

over to: We went over to Internet banking because it saved time and money.

change/switch/swap/go over: In Sweden they switched over from driving on the left to driving on the right.

15. ) during

1

a ) during a period of time:

Over the last few years we have seen a sudden increase in the number of cases of food poisoning.

Most hotels are fully booked over the holiday weekend.

1

b ) while having a meal or a drink:

Over coffee our host told us a little about the history of the house.

We chatted over lunch.

16. ) more than an amount or number

1

a ) more than a particular amount, number, or age:

Yeltsin was elected by a large majority with over 45 million votes.

Over 50 percent of the company's shares are owned by the government.

and over: The pension will be paid to people aged 65 and over.

─ opposite UNDER

1

b ) over and above in addition to the amount that exists:

This $200 million is over and above the government's previous spending plans.

Diplomats receive a generous living allowance over and above their basic salaries.

17. ) remaining used when referring to the part of an amount that remains after some of it has been used:

There should be enough money for a new car, and if there's any over we'll spend it on a vacation.

left over: There was a lot of food left over after the party.

18. ) used in radio conversations SPOKEN used at the end of your turn in a radio conversation to show that you have finished speaking and the other person can speak

over against

used when you are comparing two things or ideas and emphasizing the difference:

I was impressed by Leonard's confidence and certainty over against his brother's weakness and hesitation.

=> ABOVE

over

o|ver 2 [ `ouvər ] noun count BRITISH

in CRICKET, a series of six actions of BOWLING (=throwing the ball) by the same BOWLER towards the same end of the ground