Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to push into overdrive

to push into overdrive

1 6.1
To work much harder and faster to get something done
  • phrasal verb
: acelerar
  • It pushes him into overdrive.

Examples

  • When the competition intensified, the athlete pushed into overdrive and finished the race strong.

  • The team really pushed into overdrive to meet the tight deadline for the project.

  • In response to the emergency, the volunteers pushed into overdrive to provide help and support.

Synonyms

to ramp up
vsto push into overdrive
64 4.1

To increase something, especially its amount or speed

instead means to begin with a sudden, immediate jump to high intensity
to pump up
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
53 4.1

Make someone feel excited and full of energy

focuses specifically on beginning work with a much larger surge of effort
to crank up
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
50 3.8

To increase the level or strength of something, for example volume, production

is about starting with a much larger immediate surge of effort
to rev up
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
21 4.6

To make something faster or more active

describes an initial, much sharper rise in effort and speed
to get in gear
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
16 4.2

Start working more actively and getting more done

implies a larger, immediate jump in speed and force than this
to push to the limit
vsto push into overdrive
13 5.1

Make a person or thing work as hard as possible until they cannot keep going

is about initiating work with a rapid, large rise in effort
to set to work
vsto push into overdrive
10 3.2

To begin working right away with energy

stresses a much stronger, faster initial push of effort than this
to put the pedal to the metal
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
5 6.3

To drive or work as fast as possible, often to finish something

is about starting with sustained, very high effort and intensity
to supercharge
vsto push into overdrive
4 5.8

To make something much more powerful or effective

focuses on beginning with a sudden large boost in effort and speed
to go into high gear
vsto push into overdrive
2 4.4

To start working faster and harder

begins with an even larger, sustained jump in effort and speed
to hit the accelerator
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
2 4.4

To try harder or work faster to reach a goal

describes initiating work with a sharper and bigger burst of energy
to get stuck in
vsto push into overdrive
  • UK
2 5.8

To start a task with energy and eagerness

refers more to an immediate extreme rise in speed and force
to push it to the limit
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
1 7.2

Use all your energy and take big risks to test your skill

refers more to starting with sharply increased effort rather than risk taking
to click into gear
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
1 4.2

To start working well and fast after a slow time

means instead to begin with an immediate, much greater rise in effort
to shift into fourth gear
vsto push into overdrive
1 5.8

To start working faster and try harder to reach a goal

means launching into an especially large immediate increase in effort
to blaze away at
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
1 7.1

To work on a task with a lot of energy for a long time

is about beginning with a sudden, greatly increased effort and speed
to find another gear
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
1 6.8

To work harder or faster when facing a challenge

means starting with an abrupt, much stronger increase in effort
to fly out of the blocks
vsto push into overdrive
6.7

Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy

emphasizes beginning with a larger, ongoing increase in intensity
to get one's ass in gear
vsto push into overdrive
  • Offensive
9.9

Start working quickly and with more energy

focuses on launching into a stronger, more intense initial effort
to put a shift in
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
9.0

Work very hard for a short time to finish a task

is about launching into an immediate, much higher intensity of work
to push oneself harder
vsto push into overdrive
3.5

Try much harder to work or train

highlights beginning with an immediate, very large increase in intensity
to put one's shoulder to the wheel
vsto push into overdrive
  • Informal
7.5

To start working very hard to reach a goal

implies starting with a stronger, faster burst of energy and speed

Antonyms

to slow down
893 1.4

To move or act more slowly

How Intense

to push into overdrive
1 6.1
to ramp up
64 4.1
to step up
125 3.4

Surface Forms

push into overdrive infinitive
pushed into overdrive past
pushed into overdrive past participle
pushing into overdrive present participle
pushes into overdrive third person singular

Morphology

push + into + overdrive

The meaning is compositionally predictable: 'push' (to cause or exert), 'into' (change to a state), and 'overdrive' (an intensified, high-effort state) combine to mean causing something to operate with greatly increased effort or speed. This follows a common verb + into + state pattern and uses a readily inferable metaphor (gear/effort), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Push into overdrive comes from cars and machines. If you push a gear 'into' overdrive, the engine turns faster and the car goes much quicker, so the phrase now means to 'start working much harder or faster'.