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to overdo

to overdo

58 3.6
Do something too much, more than needed
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈdu/
translation icon : excederse (con)
  • Paul, we don't want to overdo this thing.

Under doing it will make the plant die, but overdoing it will make the plant weak.

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Examples

  • Some people overdo it with plastic surgery.

  • A little bit's fine, but if you overdo it, that does have consequences for your health.

  • It's very hard to overdo this product.

  • Now the problem is if you overdo either of them, it becomes good or bad.

  • Do not overdo it, buddy.

  • Under doing it will make the plant die, but overdoing it will make the plant weak.

  • They tend to overdo it here.

  • But I've been trying to not overdo the makeup unless I am filming.

  • Avoid heavy meals just before bedtime, and don't overdo it with alcohol either.

  • If you overdo exercise, it can lead to injuries.

Synonyms

to go too far
vsto overdo
201 4.2

Say or do something that is not acceptable and may hurt people

focuses on doing too much rather than breaking a rule
to go overboard
vsto overdo
  • Informal
45 4.4

To do something more than is needed

is excess but can be less extreme or merely unnecessary
to take too far
vsto overdo
1 5.3

To go beyond what is reasonable or acceptable

emphasizes excessive degree not just continued extension

Antonyms

1 6.1

To do less than is needed for a task

How Excessive

to go overboard
  • Informal
45 4.4
to overdo
58 3.6
to do
1.0
to underdo
1 6.1

Surface Forms

overdo infinitive
overdoing present participle
overdoes third person singular
overdid past
overdone past participle

Morphology

overdo = do (transparent) = over + do

The meaning of 'overdo' is directly derived from 'do' with the prefix 'over' indicating excess.

Etymology

The word overdo is made of the parts over- meaning 'too much' and do meaning 'to do'. This is the same over- you see in overeat or overwork, so to overdo something is to do it 'too much' or more than needed.