overachieve

Also o·ver-a·chieve

[oh-ver-uh-cheev]

verb (used without object)

overachieved, overachieving 

1. to perform better or achieve more than people are generally expected to, often because of high ambition, pressure from family, etc.

2. to perform, especially academically, above the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.

overachieve

/ ˌəʊvərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. (intr) to perform (for example, in examinations) better than would be expected on the basis of one's age or talents

Other Word Forms

• overachievement noun
• overachiever noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overachieve¹

1950–55; over- + achieve, or by back formation from overachiever

Example Sentences

There is hope however that China will "underpromise but overachieve" as it has with some previous targets, including on renewable energy.

Read more on Barron's

"They'll put down a certain number, which is not great, and then they will overachieve it, and China does that a lot."

Read more on BBC

And now with “Love Hurts,” Marvin channels his overachieving tendencies into his second career, earning the title of Regional Realtor of the Year — with the framed certificate to prove it.

Read more on Salon

Many felt that Bournemouth overachieved when they finished ninth last season - and for a while there was even talk of Europe.

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That, and getting Sophia, the beautiful, overachieving sad girl he’s been crushing on for four years, to notice him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times