overdo

[oh-ver-doo]

verb (used with object)

overdid, overdone, overdoing. 

1. to do to excess; overindulge in.

   to overdo dieting.

2. to carry to excess or beyond the proper limit.

   He puts on so much charm that he overdoes it.

3. to overact (a part); exaggerate.

4. to overtax the strength of; fatigue; exhaust.

5. to cook too much or too long; overcook.

   Don't overdo the hamburgers.

verb (used without object)

overdid, overdone, overdoing. 

1. to do too much; go to an extreme.

   Exercise is good but you mustn't overdo.

overdo

/ ˌəʊvəˈduː /

verb

1. to take or carry too far; do to excess

2. to exaggerate, overelaborate, or overplay

3. to cook or bake too long

4. to overtax one's strength, capacity, etc

Other Word Forms

• overdoer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overdo¹

before 1000; Middle English overdon, Old English oferdōn. See over-, do ¹

Example Sentences

"I mean, I'm not going to overdo it, but I felt sorry for him because he's under pressure. People make mistakes."

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“We have this tendency to overdo it,” Russell said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Either way, avoid going full-liquid; squash carries a lot of water and it’s easy to overdo it.

Read more on Salon

During the spring, he was lifting in the morning, then in the afternoon, but also recognizing he needs time to recover and not to overdo it.

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"It was clear he was overdoing it," our eyewitness said.

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Related Words

• exaggerate 
• overestimate 
• overplay 
• overrate 
• overreach 
• overstate 
• overuse 
• overvalue