overachieve

American  

[oh-ver-uh-cheev] / ˌoʊ vər əˈtʃiv /

Also over-achieve

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.

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overachieve British  

/ ˌəʊvərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• overachievement noun
• overachiever noun

Etymology

Origin of overachieve

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.

From 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."

From 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.

From Salon

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

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times