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Overdoing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overdoing

[ˌoʊvərˈduɪɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in a negative context

To do something to an excessive or extreme degree, often resulting in negative consequences. It implies going beyond what is necessary or appropriate.

Synonyms

exaggerate, overexert, overplay, overstep.

Examples of usage

  • Stop overdoing it with the salt, the dish is already too salty.
  • She tends to overdo things and then regrets it later.
  • Don't overdo the makeup, less is more.
  • He overdid the jokes and ended up annoying everyone.
  • I think you're overdoing the cleaning, the house looks fine as it is.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Overdoing tasks can lead to burnout, where people feel exhausted and less productive.
  • A common cognitive bias is the planning fallacy, where individuals underestimate how long tasks will take, leading to overdoing them.
  • People with perfectionist tendencies often overdo various tasks to meet their high expectations, sometimes resulting in stress.

Health & Wellness

  • Overdoing exercise can lead to injuries and is often termed 'overtraining syndrome', which can hinder performance.
  • Many professionals emphasize balance, suggesting moderation in diet, exercise, and work to avoid the pitfalls of overdoing any single aspect.
  • Mental health experts advocate for 'self-care' practices, warning against overdoing responsibilities to maintain well-being.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often face consequences from overdoing their plans or disguises, highlighting the humor in excess.
  • Reality TV shows frequently portray contestants overdoing competitions, leading to dramatic and entertaining moments.
  • Social media influencers sometimes face backlash for overdoing edits or promotions, causing authenticity concerns.

Literature

  • Classic literature often explores themes of characters overdoing their ambitions, leading to their downfall, such as in 'Macbeth'.
  • In modern novels, overdoing romance or drama can lead to ironic or humorous situations, showcasing writers' cleverness in exaggeration.
  • Many poets use metaphors related to excess to convey emotional states, portraying overdoing feelings as a way to intensify the message.

Origin of 'overdoing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'overdoing' comes from combining 'over' meaning excessive and 'doing', which refers to actions or tasks.
  • It’s often used to signify going beyond limits, originating from Old English 'ofer' meaning excessive and 'don' meaning to act.

The word 'overdoing' is a combination of the prefix 'over-' meaning excessively or beyond, and the verb 'do'. It originated in the late 19th century, evolving from the concept of doing something in excess. The term gained popularity due to its relevance in describing behaviors that go beyond the normal or expected limits.

See also: do, doable, dose, outdo, outdoable, overdo, redo, undo, undoable.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,416 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.