overblow

American  

[oh-ver-bloh] / ˌoʊ vərˈbloʊ /

verb (used with object)

overblew, overblown, overblowing

1. to give excessive importance or value to.

   to overblow one's own writing.

2. to overinflate.

3. to blow over the surface of, as the wind, sand, or the like.

   dead leaves overblowing the yard.

4. to blow (a wind instrument or an organ pipe) in such a way as to produce overtones.

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verb (used without object)

overblew, overblown, overblowing

1. to overblow a wind instrument.

overblow British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈbləʊ /

verb

1. music to blow into (a wind instrument) with greater force than normal in order to obtain a harmonic or overtone instead of the fundamental tone

2. to blow (a wind instrument) or (of a wind instrument) to be blown too hard

3. to blow over, away, or across

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Etymology

Origin of overblow

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; over-, blow ²

Example Sentences

I’ve just always tried to be ethical and responsible and not overblow a situation or oversell a storm.

From Slate • Sep. 30, 2022

But the overblow and waste has many analysts and public officials scratching their heads.

From Fox News • May 1, 2020

There was nary a flub in the woodwinds, the brass didn’t overblow and the strings played with bold sinew.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2016

Mr. Walters warned that if pumped too hard, the instrument will overblow.

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2015

Finding it was likely to overblow, we took in our sprit-sail, and stood by to hand the foresail; but, making foul weather, we looked the guns were all fast, and handed the mizzen.

From The Junior Classics — Volume 5 by Patten, William