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to underdo

to underdo

6.8
To cook, heat, or do something for too short a time so it is not fully done
  • verb
  • /ˌʌndərˈdu/
translation icon : cocinar poco
  • If you underdo the chicken, it might be unsafe to eat.

Examples

  • Make sure not to underdo the pasta; it should be soft and fully cooked.

  • I want to know when, where, and how, and for how long to cook something so that I don't overdo or underdo it and get the desired texture (moistness, stewiness, etc.).

    Blog text (8)
  • The recipe says to underdo the vegetables slightly for better crunch.

Synonyms

to undercook
vsto underdo
8 2.7

Cook food for too short a time so it is not fully done or safe to eat

is used for doing any task too briefly, not just unsafe food
to underbake
vsto underdo
4.1

Bake something for less time so it stays raw inside

covers shorter times for any heating or action, not only baking

Antonyms

13 1.0

To cook food for too long so it becomes dry or less tasty

How Cooked

to overcook
13 1.0
to cook
1.0
to underdo
6.8

Surface Forms

underdo infinitive
underdoing present participle
underdoes third person singular
underdid past
underdone past participle

Morphology

underdo = do (transparent) = under + do

The productive prefix 'under-' meaning 'not sufficiently' combines with 'do' to mean 'do for too short a time' (not fully cook/complete).

Etymology

Underdo uses the same under- 'not enough' and do 'to do', an idea you also see in undercook. So to underdo food or an action is to do it for too short a time and leave it not fully done.