overdrive

A noun referring to a state of high or excessive activity, productivity, or concentration, or a high gear used at high speeds to maintain driving speed with less output power.

• 🇩🇪Substantiv, das einen Zustand hoher oder übermäßiger Aktivität, Produktivität oder Konzentration bezeichnet sowie einen zusätzlichen hohen Gang, der bei hohen Geschwindigkeiten genutzt wird, um die Drehzahl zu senken und Kraftstoff zu sparen.

1. State of high activity B2 informal

   A condition of intense or excessive activity, productivity, or concentration.

   • The team went into overdrive to meet the deadline.
   • Her brain went into overdrive trying to solve the puzzle.
   • The factory is in overdrive to fulfill all the orders.

   🇩🇪Zustand hoher Aktivität

   Synonyme: bustlecommotionexcitementfever pitchfrenzyhigh gearhyperactivityintensity

2. High gear in vehicles B2 formal

   A gear in a motor vehicle that allows it to maintain high speed with reduced engine power output.

   • He shifted into overdrive on the highway to save fuel.
   • The car's overdrive gear is ideal for long-distance driving.
   • Engaging overdrive reduces engine wear at high speeds.

   🇩🇪Overdrive

   Synonyme: high gear

• overdrives plural form
• overdrives' possessive plural form
• overdrive's possessive singular form

A verb meaning to drive a vehicle or machine at an excessive speed or beyond normal limits, often used metaphorically to mean pushing something to its maximum capacity.

• 🇩🇪Verb, das bedeutet, ein Fahrzeug oder einen Mechanismus mit überhöhter Geschwindigkeit oder über die normalen Grenzen hinaus zu betreiben; metaphorisch auch, etwas bis zur maximalen Leistung zu bringen oder zu überlasten.

1. Work or drive excessively B2 informal

   To push someone or something beyond normal limits, often causing strain or exhaustion.

   • The manager overdrives his team with unrealistic deadlines.
   • She overdrives her car by never taking it for maintenance.
   • He tends to overdrive himself during exam season.

   🇩🇪Überlasten

   Synonyme: exhaustoverburdenoverextendovertaxoverworkstrain

   Antonyme: easerest

2. Use too frequently or extensively B2 informal

   To rely on something too much, making it less effective or original.

   • The movie overdrives the same tired plot twist.
   • Writers often overdrive clichés in their stories.
   • The comedian overdrives that joke in every performance.

   🇩🇪Überstrapazieren

   Synonyme: hackneyoverdooveruseoverwork

   Antonyme: neglect

• overdriven past participle
• overdrove past simple
• overdriving present participle
• overdrives third person singular