overstretch

American  

[oh-ver-strech, oh-ver-strech, oh-ver-strech] / ˌoʊ vərˈstrɛtʃ, ˌoʊ vərˈstrɛtʃ, ˈoʊ vərˌstrɛtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to stretch excessively.

2. to stretch or extend over.

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noun

1. an act or instance of overstretching.

overstretch British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈstrɛtʃ /

verb

1. to make excessive demands or put excessive pressure on (oneself, finances, etc)

2. to stretch (muscles or limbs) too much or too hard

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Etymology

Origin of overstretch

1300–50; Middle English overstrecchen; over-, stretch

Example Sentences

"They want to see an inclusive school system. The problem is they are just so overstretched, they are being asked to do much more with less resource - it becomes an impossibility."

From BBC

The grade-two calf tear he sustained originated from a "freak accident" when he overstretched at the end of his semi-final, straining the muscle which eventually gave out in the medal race.

From BBC

And increasingly governments have an eye on them as a way of propping up overstretched public services and budgets, by improving planning and cutting costs.

From BBC

The civil-defense bureaucracy needs to be streamlined, disaster response tested, and the medical system is overstretched, even in peacetime.

From The Wall Street Journal

Similar to another closely watched momentum gauge — the 14-day Relative Strength Index — the McClellan Oscillator can be a contrarian signal that the market is overstretched to the upside or downside.

From MarketWatch