# go over

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/go-over
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to look at or check something carefully to make sure it is correct or to understand it better.

For teachers: to examine, review, or scrutinize something in detail. This phrasal verb is transitive and typically takes a document, plan, or set of ideas as its object.

## Examples

- Let's go over the details one more time.
- Before the meeting started, the manager asked the team to go over the budget report to find any errors.
- The legal team spent several hours going over the contract's fine print to ensure there were no hidden liabilities for the firm.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I need to go over to the report." but "I need to go over the report." — When meaning 'to examine', the verb is transitive and does not require an extra preposition like 'to'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with nouns like 'notes', 'plan', 'details', or 'report'.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'look over', which implies a quicker, less thorough check than 'go over'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.