# overdrive

/ˈoʊvɝˌdɹaɪv/ (US) · /ˈəʊvədɹˌaɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overdrive
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. heightened activity

noun · CEFR B2

a state of working very hard or being extremely active.

For teachers: a state of intensified activity, effort, or production, often beyond normal limits.

- The factory went into overdrive to finish all the orders before the holiday.
- As the election approached, the candidate's PR machine went into overdrive, churning out press releases and social media content hourly.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'to go into overdrive'.

### 2. mechanical gear

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a high gear in a vehicle that helps the engine run more slowly while driving fast.

For teachers: a gear ratio in an automotive transmission that allows the output shaft to rotate faster than the input shaft, reducing engine wear and fuel consumption at cruising speeds.

- Once he reached the highway, he shifted the car into overdrive to save fuel.
- The vintage sports car featured a manual overdrive unit, which was engaged via a toggle switch on the dashboard for high-speed touring.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in technical contexts or a countable noun when referring to the specific mechanism.

### 3. to push too hard

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to drive or push someone or something much harder than is healthy or safe.

For teachers: to drive, work, or exploit something or someone to the point of exhaustion or strain.

- You shouldn't overdrive your staff if you want them to stay productive.
- The logistics manager was cautioned not to overdrive the delivery fleet, as the increased maintenance costs were offsetting the gains in speed.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- My brain goes into overdrive during final exams.
- The marketing team went into overdrive to finish the campaign before the product launch on Monday.
- As the deadline approached, the factory's production line went into overdrive, with staff working double shifts to meet the sudden surge in international orders.

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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.