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to overinvest

to overinvest

1 6.6
To give too much emotional energy to someone or something
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈɪnvɛst/
translation icon : 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
3 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
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.