overdrive

[oh-ver-drahyv, oh-ver-drahyv]

verb (used with object)

overdrove, overdriven, overdriving. 

1. to push or carry to excess; overwork.

2. to drive too hard.

noun

1. Machinery, Automotive.,  a device containing a gear set at such ratio and arrangement as to provide a drive shaft speed greater than the engine crankshaft speed.

2. Also called hyperdrive. Informal.,  a state of intense activity or productivity.

   The political campaign has shifted into overdrive.

overdrive

noun

1. a very high gear in a motor vehicle used at high speeds to reduce wear and save fuel

2. in a state of intense activity

3. into a state of intense activity

verb

1. (tr) to drive too hard or too far; overwork or overuse

Word History and Origins

Origin of overdrive¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English overdriven “to cover over, overpower”; Old English oferdrīfan “to drive away, overthrow”; equivalent to over- ( def. ) + drive ( def. )

Example Sentences

This demand for computing capacity is a big part of why data-center construction is in overdrive.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The optimism catalyzed China’s tech industry, unleashed an even bigger geyser of government support and jolted American competition into overdrive.

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And then, predictably, an incendiary act kicks the story into overdrive: Footage of someone burning the Ten Commandments surfaces on social media.

Read more on Salon

The T-cells also help the immune system calm down after fighting a foreign invader, so it doesn’t continue on overdrive.

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“Caden simply rode away towards Williston while the rest of us were left to think the worst and my team was working in overdrive to solve this case,” Woods said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times