Overreached: meaning, definitions and examples
📈
overreached
[ ˌoʊvərˈriːtʃt ]
exceeding limits
To overreach means to extend or stretch beyond what is reasonable or achievable. It often implies an attempt to gain too much or to act in an overly ambitious manner that can lead to failure or consequences. In a broader sense, the term can be used to describe actions that go beyond legal or ethical boundaries. It is commonly associated with both physical actions and metaphorical interpretations, such as in politics or business.
Synonyms
exceed, overextend, overstep, surpass.
Examples of usage
- The company's ambitions have caused it to overreach in its expansion plans.
- He overreached in his pursuit of success and lost everything.
- The politician overreached, resulting in a scandal that damaged his career.
Translations
Translations of the word "overreached" in other languages:
🇵🇹 excedeu
🇮🇳 अत्यधिक पहुंचना
🇩🇪 überdehnt
🇮🇩 melampaui
🇺🇦 перевищив
🇵🇱 przekroczył
🇯🇵 越えた
🇫🇷 dépassé
🇪🇸 excedió
🇹🇷 aştı
🇰🇷 넘었다
🇸🇦 تجاوز
🇨🇿 překročil
🇸🇰 prekročil
🇨🇳 超越了
🇸🇮 presegel
🇮🇸 fór yfir
🇰🇿 асып кетті
🇬🇪 გადასული
🇦🇿 aşdı
🇲🇽 sobrepasó
Etymology
The term 'overreach' is derived from the combination of 'over', meaning 'beyond' or 'excessive', and 'reach', which comes from the Old English 'riċe', meaning 'to stretch out' or 'to extend'. The notion of overreaching has been present in English since at least the 17th century, often used in legal and political contexts. The word has evolved to encompass various meanings, often relating to ambition or attempts that exceed appropriate boundaries, leading to negative consequences. In modern usage, it can refer to both literal and figurative extensions beyond the limits of what is considered acceptable or achievable.