Word
overdo
Phoneticsover·do
US/ˈoʊvɝˈdu/
UK/ˌəʊvədˈuː/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
overdo
Past
overdid
Past participle
overdone
Definition
v. to do something too much or in a way that is too intense. You use this when you think someone is making a big deal out of a small problem.
v. to perform an action to an excessive or unnecessary degree; to exaggerate the significance of a situation. Often used in the passive voice to describe a reaction that is overly dramatic.
Examples
“He is overdoing the whole situation.”
“The manager was overdoing the apology by sending a dozen flowers to every employee.”
“The film's director was accused of overdoing the horror elements, resulting in a final product that felt more like a scream than a story.”
Examples
simple
“He is overdoing the whole situation.”
contextual
“The manager was overdoing the apology by sending a dozen flowers to every employee.”
complex
“The film's director was accused of overdoing the horror elements, resulting in a final product that felt more like a scream than a story.”
Real-World Examples
“Like a lot of meal kits these days, Tempo caters especially to those looking to make sure they get their protein on—and who don't want to overdo it on carbs.” “It’s easy to overdo it here, so I opted for a less-is-more approach with just two add-ons: “supergreens” (+$1), and a vitamin and mineral boost (+$1).” Etymology
From Middle English overdon, from Old English oferdōn, equivalent to over- + do.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/overdo