OVERDRIVE Definition & Meaning

overdrive

[oh-ver-drahyv, oh-ver-drahyv]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

overdrove, overdriven, overdriving.

to push or carry to excess; overwork.
to drive too hard.

noun

Machinery, Automotive.��a device containing a gear set at such ratio and arrangement as to provide a drive shaft speed greater than the engine crankshaft speed.
Also called hyperdrive.��Informal.��a state of intense activity or productivity.
The political campaign has shifted into overdrive.

overdrive

noun

a very high gear in a motor vehicle used at high speeds to reduce wear and save fuel
in a state of intense activity
into a state of intense activity

verb

(tr) to drive too hard or too far; overwork or overuse

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of overdrive¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English overdriven “to cover over, overpower”; Old English �Ǵڱ��ī�ڲ�� “to drive away, overthrow”; equivalent to over- ( def. ) + drive ( def. )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Fans immediately went into overdrive to try to work out Patchwork's identity - part of the frenzied guessing game surrounding the festival's "surprise" sets.

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One reason may be that rumours had reached overdrive that an announcement was in the offing.

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State and local officials went into overdrive, trying to teach residents and tourists how to avoid attracting bears.

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The platform remains – but Liverpool will now go into overdrive this summer, with their recruitment team, under sporting director Richard Hughes, well on with preparations to add heavyweight reinforcements.

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While all this political reading was in overdrive, people were still buying other books.

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overdress overdub

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