overdo
UK: ˌəʊvəˈduː | US: ˌoʊvərˈduː
vt. to do something to an excessive or exaggerated degree
vt. to cook food for too long
The word "overdo" combines the Old English prefix "over-" (meaning "excessive" or "beyond") with the verb "do" (from Old English "dōn," meaning "to perform"). The term emerged in Middle English (14th century) to describe actions taken to an extreme, reflecting a logical progression from literal excess (e.g., overcooking) to figurative exaggeration (e.g., overacting). The prefix "over-" has Germanic roots, while "do" is a core Germanic verb, making the compound straightforward and intuitive.
Don’t overdo the salt in the soup, or it will be inedible.
She tends to overdo her makeup for special occasions.
The actor overdid his performance, making it seem unnatural.
If you overdo exercise without rest, you risk injury.
He overdid the joke until it was no longer funny.