overreach

American  

[oh-ver-reech] / ˌoʊ vərˈritʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to reach or extend over or beyond.

   The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.

2. to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought.

   an arrow that had overreached the target.

3. to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort.

   to overreach one's arm and strain a muscle.

4. to defeat (oneself ) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning.

   In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.

5. to strain or exert (oneself or itself ) to the point of exceeding the purpose.

6. to get the better of, especially by deceit or trickery; outwit.

   Every time you deal with them you wonder if they're overreaching you.

7. to overtake.

8. Obsolete. to overpower.

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verb (used without object)

1. to reach or extend over something.

2. to reach too far.

   In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.

3. to cheat others.

4. (of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.

5. Nautical. to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.

overreach British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈriːtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to defeat or thwart (oneself) by attempting to do or gain too much

2. (tr) to aim for but miss by going too far or attempting too much

3. to get the better of (a person) by trickery

4. (tr) to reach or extend beyond or over

5. (intr) to reach or go too far

6. (intr) (of a horse) to strike the back of a forefoot with the edge of the opposite hind foot

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Other Word Forms

• overreacher noun

Etymology

Origin of overreach

First recorded in 1300–50; over- + reach ( def. )

Example Sentences

Let’s Go Washington, a grassroots organization pushing against state government overreach, turned in a mountain of signatures for these initiatives.

From The Wall Street Journal

Politically they cluster around the middle and dislike extremism and overreach.

From The Wall Street Journal

So let us put this down as etymological overreach by Mr. Dalrymple.

From The Wall Street Journal

A writ of mandate is a court order that attempts to correct alleged overreach or abuse of discretion by a government official or agency.

From Los Angeles Times

"He has overreached in advertising something to end up getting what he actually wants. Maybe what he actually wants is a larger military presence and an offtake."

From BBC

Related Words

• overdo