overdo

Verb

overdo (third-person singular simple present overdoes, present participle overdoing, simple past overdid, past participle overdone)

1. (transitive) To do too much; to exceed what is proper or true in doing; to carry too far.
   • I overdid the sweets during the holidays and put on some weight.
   • […] o’erstep not the modesty of nature: for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing, whose end […] is to hold, as ’twere, the mirror up to nature;c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...

   Synonyms:

   exaggerate, big up, cut it fat, hyperbolize, overcharge, overemphasize, overstate, play up, stretch, three-sheet

   Antonyms:

   underdo, downplay

2. (transitive) To cook for too long.
   • to overdo the meat
   • [He] talked of a feast where he had been the day before, but that the venison was over-done.1765, [Oliver] Goldsmith, “Essay=V”, in Essays. […], London: […] W[illiam] Griffin […], →OCLC, page 43

   Synonyms:

   overcook

   Antonyms:

   underdo, undercook

3. (transitive) To give (someone or something) too much work; to require too much effort or strength of (someone); to use up too much of (something).
   • to overdo one’s strength
   • Good God! hovv poore a thing is vvretched man? / So fraile, that let him ſtriue the beſt he can, / VVith euery little blaſt hee’s ouerdon.1620, Fra[ncis] Quarles, “Sect[ion] 2”, in A Feast for Wormes. Set Forth in a Poeme of the History of Ionah, London: […] Felix Kyngston, for Richard Moore, […], →OCLC, signature D2, recto

   Synonyms:

   overtask, overtax, fatigue, exhaust, wear out

4. (obsolete, transitive) To do more than (someone); to do (something) to a greater extent.
   • In a delicate Garden, where Art hath shewed it’s vtmost, yee shall meet with Roses, Gillyflowers, and Fountaines of Alabaster and Iasper; but thou wilt not so much admire this, as if thou shouldst light on these dainties in a Desert, or in some craggie Mountain, where the hand of nature shall...1629, Cristóbal de Fonseca, translated by James Mabbe, Deuout Contemplations, London: Adam Islip, Sermon 2, page 36
   • [...] it would be their shame for ever to be overdone in mischiefe, nor were they here exceeded.1654, John Cleveland, The Idol of the Clownes, London, page 35

   Synonyms:

   excel, outdo, surpass