overdrive

[ verb oh-ver-drahyv; noun oh-ver-drahyv ]

/ verb ˌoʊ vərˈdraɪv; noun ˈoʊ vərˌdraɪv /

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verb (used with object), o·ver·drove, o·ver·driv·en, o·ver·driv·ing.

to push or carry to excess; overwork.

to drive too hard.

noun

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.

Informal. an intense state of activity or productivity: The political campaign has shifted into overdrive.

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Origin of overdrive

before 950; Middle English overdriven to cover over, overpower; Old English oferdrīfan to drive away, overthrow. See over-, drive

Words nearby overdrive

overdrafting, overdraught, overdraw, overdrawer, overdress, overdrive, overdub, overdue, overdye, overeager, over easy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use overdrive in a sentence

They also didn’t make enough of certain proteins that are vital for attacking viruses and keeping the immune response from dangerously going into overdrive.
Some microbial hitchhikers may weaken body’s attack on COVID-19|Ana Maldonado-Contreras|March 5, 2021|Science News For Students
The pandemic has put America’s shift into virtual community-making into overdrive.
Peloton makes toning your glutes feel spiritual. But should Jesus be part of the experience?|Michelle Boorstein|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Without care, they can trigger the immune system to go into overdrive—a dangerous condition that could result in serious problems.
Fighting Covid-19 Brought These Lasting Breakthroughs to Science and Medicine|Shelly Fan|December 29, 2020|Singularity Hub
With Wall back on court, Washington expects what was an already speedy offense to kick into overdrive.
The Wizards played fast without John Wall. Expect them to be even faster this season.|Ava Wallace|December 2, 2020|Washington Post

When it goes into overdrive, the immune system can cause additional damage.
First drug is found to block the new coronavirus|Tina Hesman Saey|May 4, 2020|Science News For Students
When I put their allegations to Epstein, he denied them and went into overdrive.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Tea Party hate machine has gone into overdrive in South Carolina, so how has Lindsey Graham survived so comfortably?
Lindsey Graham’s Tea Party Teflon|Patricia Murphy|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Newspapers in the U.K. went into overdrive as they speculated about the likelihood of a fresh royal wedding.
Why Cressida and Harry Split|Tom Sykes|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The back and forth has sent the gossip blogs into overdrive.
Melissa Etheridge’s Hideous Breakup|Tricia Romano|April 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Palestinian Arab propaganda machine is in overdrive once again.
The Crime of Kufr Qaddoum: An EmergencyStandWithDavidMonitor Animal Rights Division Expose|Eli Valley|March 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
To overdrive the willingest troops any General ever had under his command is a sin—but we must go on fighting to-morrow!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
There isn't a team in the country gets more grooming than those colts, and not a man has been known to overdrive them.
A California Girl|Edward Eldridge
The distance was too short for even the briefest of overdrive hops, but it would take time to get there on solar-system drive.
Pariah Planet|Murray Leinster
A ship in overdrive feels exactly as if it were buried deep in the core of a planet.
Pariah Planet|Murray Leinster
A long time later Calhoun heard small sounds which were not normal on a Med Ship in overdrive.
Pariah Planet|Murray Leinster

British Dictionary definitions for overdrive

overdrive

noun (ˈəʊvəˌdraɪv)

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

in overdrive in a state of intense activity

into overdrive into a state of intense activity

verb (ˌəʊvəˈdraɪv) -drives, -driving, -drove or -driven

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012