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Difference between Go over someone and Go over someone’s head

admin Confusing Phrases

go over someone—

1. search a person:

  • A woman police-officer went over the girl from head to toe, but would not say what she was looking for.

2. (med.) examine a person for smth. wrong:

  • The doctor went over the girl carefully but could find no broken bones.

go over someone’s head—

1. said of smth. too difficult for a person to understand:

  • Some of the jokes were rather rude, but luckily they went over the children’s heads.

2. ask for smth. from a person in a higher position than one’s immediate superior:

  • If you think your captain is giving wrong orders, you may go over his head to his commanding officer.