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underdo

American  
[uhn-der-doo] / ˌʌn dərˈdu /

verb (used with or without object)

underdid, underdone, underdoing
  1. to do less or in a lesser fashion than is usual or requisite.


Etymology

Origin of underdo

First recorded in 1605–15; under- + do 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

I hope I don’t overdo it or underdo it,’” Mirren says, speaking alongside McKellen at the Corinthia Hotel in London.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 18, 2019

We don’t want her to underdo her job.

From The Guardian Nov. 25, 2015

“All authentication in the end is about being risk-based. You don’t want to overdo security because that can create user burdens, but you don’t want to underdo it because that creates risk.”

From Slate Jul. 10, 2015

Sometimes the local people overdo the publicity, and sometimes they underdo it.

From Time Magazine Archive

A young fellow should be ambitious to shine in everything; and, of the two, rather overdo than underdo.

From A Letter Book Selected with an Introduction on the History and Art of Letter-Writing by Saintsbury, George

“We underdid it in the great financial crisis, so we overdid it here,” said Patrick Harker, who was president of the Philadelphia Fed for a decade before stepping down last June.

From The Wall Street Journal May 14, 2026

Certainly if there were any fault in Mr Codlin's usual deportment, it was that he rather underdid his kindness to those about him, than overdid it.

From The Old Curiosity Shop by Dickens, Charles

Powell, as well, said that even though "the risks of sort of overdoing it and underdoing it are getting closer to being balanced," the focus remains on inflation.

From Reuters Jun. 16, 2023

Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger is set to pitch the first game of a doubleheader in Cleveland, marking his first game in the majors since underdoing his second Tommy John surgery.

From Seattle Times May 4, 2022

Flanker Jamie Ritchie is out for the tournament after underdoing surgery on the hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's opening win over England.

From BBC Feb. 10, 2022

“The risk of overdoing it is less than the risk of underdoing it,” Mr. Powell said.

From New York Times Dec. 1, 2020

He did both his play-acting and his real acting to perfection, neither overdoing nor underdoing one or the other.

From Sea-Hounds by Freeman, Lewis R.

The teenager, who plays for the Airdrie and Coatbridge team, was taken to hospital and has since underdone a 10-hour operation.

From BBC Jan. 24, 2024

Even noodles that you plan to pan-fry into a crispy “noodle pillow,” as Nguyen puts it, before adding toppings can stand to be a little underdone.

From Washington Post May 24, 2021

Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer’s directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone.

From Salon Nov. 20, 2019

“He comes in a little bit underdone but I’m fortunate he’s a guy who can light it up when he needs to and I think he’s a guy that this format will suit.”

From Seattle Times Oct. 21, 2019

The rabbit was a shade underdone, but tasted wonderful.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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