verbal phr. (colloquial).—To influence; to overreach; to cheat. (If the quots. are compared chronologically it will be seen that there has been a gradual deterioration in the meaning of this colloquialism.) Cf., COME ROUND; GET OVER.

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  1609.  DEKKER, The Guls Horne-booke, ch. ii. Care not for those coorse painted cloath rimes, made by ye University of Salerne, that COME OUER you, with … sweete candied councell.

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  1667.  SHIRLEY, Love Tricks, Act ii., Sc. 1. Bub. I do not see what fault she can find with me; and if I had some good word to COME OVER her:—but I must help it out, an need be, with swearing.

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  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. To COME OVER any one: to cheat or overreach him.

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  1794.  Gentleman’s Magazine, p. 1085. I lately CAME OVER him for a good round sum.

5

  c. 1860.  Broadside Ballad.

        I’m a young man from the country,
  But you don’t GET OVER me!

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  c. 1879.  Music Hall Song (sung by Jenny Hill, the ‘Vital Spark’).

        You may GET OVER water-butts, you may GET OVER fountains,
  But I ’ll take particular notice that you don’t GET OVER Sal.

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  1884.  Daily Telegraph, March 11, p. 2, col. 1. ‘But don’t you try and COME IT OVER me, or you’ll find yourself in the wrong box.’

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