# overdo

/ˈoʊvɝˈdu/ (US) · /ˌəʊvədˈuː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overdo
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.