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to overinvest

to overinvest

1 6.6
To give too much emotional energy to someone or something
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈɪnvɛst/
: sobrecargar emocionalmente
  • A transference relationship develops, in which the dependent person overinvests in the helper.

Examples

  • The team overinvested in the project, thinking it would be a guaranteed success.

  • Many people overinvest in their relationships, expecting too much in return.

  • When he realized he had overinvested his emotions, he decided to take a step back.

Synonyms

to overindulge
vsto overinvest
5 6.2

Let yourself and others have too much food or drink

gives emotional energy or resources rather than supplying excess goods or treats
to overconcentrate
vsto overinvest
1 7.7

Give too much attention to one thing and ignore others

gives excessive emotional energy, importance, or resources rather than only attention

How Committed

to overinvest
1 6.6
to care
∞ 1.0
to like
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

overinvest infinitive
overinvested past participle
overinvesting present participle
overinvests third person singular

Morphology

overinvest = invest (semi-transparent) = over + invest

The structure is 'over-' + 'invest', but the sense is a figurative extension to emotional commitment, which is less directly predictable for some learners.

Etymology

Overinvest comes from over- 'too much' and invest 'to put in your energy or feelings'. A helpful way to remember it is that to overinvest emotionally is to give someone or something more of your time and feeling than is healthy.