WordGarden.iooverdo
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌəʊvədˈuː/
US
- /ˈoʊvərˈdu/
Meanings
Verb
to do something too much or go further than is helpful, proper, or reasonable
to cook food too much or too long
Beyond the definition
Sometimes, even good things can be… too much. That's when you overdo it. Think of a chef adding just a pinch of salt to a dish—perfect! But adding the whole container? You've definitely overdone it.
To "overdo" means to go beyond what is needed or appropriate, often causing a problem. It can describe physical actions ("He overdid it at the gym and pulled a muscle") or emotional responses ("Don't overdo the sympathy; she just needs space"). It is all about excess. You might overdo the holiday decorations and turn the living room into a mess, or overdo your attempt to impress someone and come across as desperate.
To overdo something means to do more than is necessary or desirable; to exaggerate or go to extremes. It implies that your actions have moved past the point of being helpful or appropriate and have become detrimental. For example, the sentence "She tried to help, but she really overdid it with the advice" suggests that her well-intentioned efforts were excessive and perhaps unwelcome.
"Overdo" applies to a wide range of contexts, from physical activity ("He overdid it on his first run back after his injury") to social interactions ("Don't overdo the apologies; one is enough"). The word carries a distinct sense of imbalance.
It is important to distinguish "overdo" from simply doing something a lot. While working hard is positive, "overdoing it" implies that the quantity or intensity has crossed a line, leading to an undesirable outcome like exhaustion or error.
The phrase "overdoing it" is also frequently used to describe someone behaving in an exaggerated manner. Remarking that "He's really overdoing it with the compliments" suggests that his flattery feels insincere or forced. Whether it involves effort, emotion, or indulgence, to overdo something is to push it past the point of benefit and into the realm of excess—a reminder that sometimes, less truly is more.
Examples
- 1
Exercise
Don’t overdo it at the gym on your first day back.
- 2
Cooking
I think I overdid it with the salt; the soup is hard to eat.
- 3
Film style
The director overdid the dramatic music, so the scene felt silly.
- 4
Compliments
Try not to overdo the compliments, or people may think you are not sincere.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Physical strain
She overdid things during the move and hurt her back.
- 6
Cooking result
The steak was a little overdone, but the potatoes were perfect.
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- overdoverb
Forms
- overdonepast participleverb
- overdoing-ing formverb
- overdidpast tenseverb
- overdoesverb