overdo

[ oh-ver-doo ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·did, o·ver·done, o·ver·do·ing.

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)

, o·ver·did, o·ver·done, o·ver·do·ing.

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. overdo it
   overdo itoverdo things to overtax one's strength, capacity, etc

Other Words From

• over·doer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overdo¹

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

Example Sentences

People with hypertension or who are pregnant should be careful not to overdo it.

From Eater

Spending more than 15 minutes in a full-body massage chair can overdo it on your muscles.

From Popular-Science

Approaching eating with a mindset of moderation is more about giving your body what it wants and needs without overdoing it.

From Outside Online

Innocent flirting is OK, as long as you don’t overdo it and mislead someone.

From The Daily Beast

Don’t overdo it, keep things comfortable, and you’ll soon find a groove that combines the best worlds of working out and working hard.

From Popular-Science

But if I overdo it and I pander and I put something up just because the Twilight crowd is going to like it, I will get punished.

From The Daily Beast

Prince brought that to the role herself, "but Jerry monitors it very carefully to make sure I don't overdo it."

From The Daily Beast

He told African-Americans not to overdo their protests and to remember that race relations are improving.

From The Daily Beast

Here's the menu, which was composed amidst solemn promises that we "aren't going to overdo it this year".

From The Daily Beast

It was like force-feeding sugar to an ant: you just can't overdo it.

From The Daily Beast

Again, girls are often in such a hurry to 'finish,' that they overdo, and suffer the consequences in after life.

From Project Gutenberg

After all, he seemed likely to overdo it to spoil everything with a cheap joke at the end.

From Project Gutenberg

"You mustn't let her overdo it, doctor," said Rosalind, seriously believing herself truthful.

From Project Gutenberg

"Now just don't you overdo this Lord-of-Creation business, Mr. Man," says a deep, growly voice.

From Project Gutenberg

He had only been permitted to return to college so quickly under strict orders not to overdo.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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