1 C1 neutral
To cough while facing or leaning toward someone or something, potentially spreading germs or saliva over them.
"Please cover your mouth — don't cough over the food."
inseparable
cough over
C1 neutral inseparable transitive
To cough in the direction of or across someone or something.
In plain English
To cough so that air or germs go over someone or something.
What does "cough over" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cough in a direction that covers or passes over someone — fully transparent.
Actually means
To cough so that air or germs go over someone or something.
Usage tip
Not a standard dictionary entry as a fixed phrasal verb. Used in a literal, descriptive sense. Rare in fixed idiomatic use.
Words that pair with "cough over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
food someone table everything neighbour
How to conjugate "cough over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cough over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
coughs over
he/she/it
Past simple
coughed over
yesterday
Past participle
coughed over
have + pp
-ing form
coughing over
continuous
Hear "cough over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cough over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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