Overreaching


[oh-ver-reech] /ˌoʊ vərˈritʃ/

verb (used with object)
1.
to or extend over or beyond:
The shelf overreached the nook and had to be planed down.
2.
to go beyond, as a thing aimed at or sought:
an arrow that had overreached the target.
3.
to stretch to excess, as by a straining effort:
to overreach one’s arm and strain a muscle.
4.
to defeat (oneself) by overdoing matters, often by excessive eagerness or cunning:
In trying to promote disunity he had overreached himself.
5.
to strain or exert (oneself or itself) to the point of exceeding the purpose.
6.
to get the better of, especially by deceit or trickery; outwit:
Every time you deal with them you wonder if they’re overreaching you.
7.
to overtake.
8.
Obsolete. to overpower.
verb (used without object)
9.
to or extend over something.
10.
to too far:
In grabbing for the rope he overreached and fell.
11.
to cheat others.
12.
(of a running or walking horse) to strike, or strike and injure, the forefoot with the hind foot.
13.
Nautical. to sail on a tack longer than is desirable or was intended; overstand.
/ˌəʊvəˈriːtʃ/
verb
1.
(transitive) to defeat or thwart (oneself) by attempting to do or gain too much
2.
(transitive) to aim for but miss by going too far or attempting too much
3.
to get the better of (a person) by trickery
4.
(transitive) to reach or extend beyond or over
5.
(intransitive) to reach or go too far
6.
(intransitive) (of a horse) to strike the back of a forefoot with the edge of the opposite hind foot
v.

c.1300, “to reach above or beyond” (transitive), from over- + reach (v.). Meaning “to extend over something, to cover it” is from c.1400. Sense of “to reach beyond one’s strength” is from 1560s. As a noun from 1550s. Related: Overreached; overreaching.

Read Also:

  • Overspeculate

    [spek-yuh-leyt] /ˈspɛk yəˌleɪt/ verb (used without object), speculated, speculating. 1. to engage in thought or reflection; meditate (often followed by on, upon, or a clause). 2. to indulge in conjectural thought. 3. to engage in any business transaction involving considerable risk or the chance of large gains, especially to buy and sell commodities, stocks, etc., […]

  • Overspeculation

    [spek-yuh-ley-shuh n] /ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən/ noun 1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity’s ultimate destiny. 2. a single instance or process of consideration. 3. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify. 4. conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a […]

  • Over-speculation

    [spek-yuh-ley-shuh n] /ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən/ noun 1. the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity’s ultimate destiny. 2. a single instance or process of consideration. 3. a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify. 4. conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a […]

  • Overspeed

    [speed] /spid/ noun 1. rapidity in moving, going, traveling, proceeding, or performing; swiftness; celerity: the speed of light; the speed of sound. 2. relative rapidity in moving, going, etc.; rate of motion or progress: full speed ahead. 3. full, maximum, or optimum rate of motion: The car gets to speed in just nine seconds. 4. […]

  • Overspend

    [oh-ver-spend] /ˌoʊ vərˈspɛnd/ verb (used without object), overspent, overspending. 1. to more than one can afford: Receiving a small inheritance, she began to overspend alarmingly. verb (used with object), overspent, overspending. 2. to in excess of: He was overspending his yearly salary by several thousand dollars. 3. to beyond one’s means (used reflexively): When the […]


Disclaimer: Overreaching definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.