overplay

[oh-ver-pley]

verb (used with object)

1. to exaggerate or overemphasize (one's role in a play, an emotion, an effect, etc.).

   The young actor overplayed Hamlet shamelessly. The director of the movie had overplayed the pathos.

2. to put too much stress on the value or importance of.

   A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.

3. Cards.,  to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.

4. Golf.,  to hit (the ball) past the putting green.

5. Archaic.,  outplay.

verb (used without object)

1. to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact.

   Without a firm director she invariably overplays.

overplay

/ ˌəʊvəˈpleɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to exaggerate the importance of

2. another word for overact

3. to overestimate the worth or strength of one's position

Word History and Origins

Origin of overplay¹

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + play

Example Sentences

Both of these factors suggest bank fears may be overplayed.

Read more on Barron's

But it did ultimately recover and fears that tariffs would cause a sharp travel slowdown were overplayed.

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Instead, the ministry promised to implement the new export controls in a “prudential and moderate manner”—a tacit admission that Beijing has overplayed its hand.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“To do this when the U.S. has been friendly, I think China has overplayed their hand.”

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It's hard to overplay what a huge blow it would be to Australia if Pat Cummins misses some or all of the Ashes, similar to England being without Ben Stokes.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• exaggerate 
• maximize 
• overdo 
• overemphasize 
• overstate 
• overuse