overshoot

[oh-ver-shoot, oh-ver-shoot]

verb (used with object)

overshot, overshooting 

1. to shoot or go over, beyond, or above; miss.

   The missile overshot its target.

2. to pass or go by or beyond (a point, limit, etc.).

   to overshoot a stop sign.

3. to shoot or pour down over.

   turbulent water overshooting the top of the dam.

4. to overreach (oneself or itself); go further than is intended or proper; go too far.

   It looked as though his self-confidence had overshot itself.

5. (of an aircraft or pilot) to fly too far along (a landing strip) in attempting to land.

verb (used without object)

overshot, overshooting 

1. to fly or go beyond.

2. to shoot over or above a mark.

noun

1. a shooting beyond a specified point or target.

   two overshoots in the missile test series.

2. the amount of excessive distance in a trajectory or route.

   a two-mile overshoot on the artillery range.

overshoot

/ ˌəʊvəˈʃuːt /

verb

1. to shoot or go beyond (a mark or target)

2. to cause (an aircraft) to fly or taxi too far along (a runway) during landing or taking off, or (of an aircraft) to fly or taxi too far along a runway

3. (tr) to pass swiftly over or down over, as water over a wheel

noun

1. an act or instance of overshooting

2. the extent of such overshooting

3. a momentary excessive response of an electrical or mechanical system

Word History and Origins

Origin of overshoot¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English oversheten, overshoten; over- + shoot ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Science now tells us that a temporary overshoot beyond the 1.5°C limit -- starting at the latest in the early 2030s -- is inevitable," he said.

Read more on Science Daily

“But it’s also true that, as we go through these investment cycles, there are moments where we overshoot, collectively as an industry.”

Read more on Barron's

“When we go through these investment cycles, there are moments we overshoot as an industry,” Pichai said in an interview with the BBC, released on Tuesday.

Read more on Barron's

But in recent weeks even the UN has said it accepts that overshooting this temperature is "inevitable".

Read more on BBC

But UN chief Antonio Guterres has acknowledged in recent weeks that it is now "inevitable" the 1.5C threshold will soon be breached, urging that the overshoot be kept as brief as possible.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• beset 
• choke 
• deluge 
• inundate 
• invade 
• overflow 
• overwhelm 
• ravage