Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To perform a surgical procedure on a living body, typically to repair damage, remove diseased tissue, or improve function. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • To have an effect or influence on something; to work upon. This is a less common, figurative usage.

Usage

• The verb "operate on" is used with a direct object (the patient or body part). It is a separable phrasal verb.
• It is most frequently used in the passive voice in medical contexts (e.g., "He was operated on").
• Structure: .

Examples

• Verb:
  • The skilled surgeon will operate on the patient's heart tomorrow.
  • She was operated on for appendicitis last year.
  • Doctors had to operate on his broken leg immediately after the accident.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: To affect or influence something as if by a surgical procedure.
  • The new policy operates on the principle of fairness. (It works based on that principle.)
  • His speech operated on the emotions of the crowd. (It worked upon their emotions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Operation (n): The act or process of operating; a surgical procedure.
  • The patient is recovering from a major operation.
• Operative (adj): Functioning; having effect.
  • The law is now operative.
• Operator (n): One who operates a machine; in surgery, a surgeon.
  • The machine operator ensured safety protocols were followed.

Synonyms

• Perform surgery on: The most direct synonym.
• Conduct an operation on: A more formal equivalent.
• Treat surgically: Emphasizes the medical treatment aspect.

Phrasal Verbs

• Operate on is itself a phrasal verb. Its components are not typically separated in standard usage, though the passive form ("was operated on") is common.
  • Correct: The doctor operated on the patient.
  • Correct (Passive): The patient was operated on by the doctor.
  • Less Common (Separated): The doctor operated successfully on the patient.

Related Idioms

• To be under the knife: An informal idiom meaning to be undergoing surgery.
  • He's going under the knife next week for his knee.

Verb

1. perform surgery on
   • The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life