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operate on

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus 0.01 sec.
operate on someone
to perform a surgical operation on someone. They decided not to operate on her. She wasn't operated on after all.
See also: operate

operate on something 

1. to work on something; to work with the insides of something. (As a surgeon might operate.) He tried to operate on his watch and ruined it. Todd operated on the door lock and fixed it.
2. to function or conduct business on a certain principle or assumption. The company has always operated on the theory that the customer is always right. Sam operates on the assumption that everyone is out to get him.
See also: operate
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If her manners have so great an influence on my resentful heart, you may judge how much more strongly they operate on Mr.
Lady Susan by Austen, Jane View in context
And if we consider that nevertheless there have been at all times certain officers whose duty it was to see that private buildings contributed to public ornament, the difficulty of reaching high perfection with but the materials of others to operate on, will be readily acknowledged.
Reason For Discourse by Descartes, Rene View in context
Don't let me have a woman who doesn't know who I am to operate on my beard to-morrow morning.
No Name by Collins, Wilkie View in context
 
 
 
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