overdrive

• État d'activité, de productivité ou de concentration intense ou excessive ; également, dans un véhicule, un rapport de démultiplication surmultiplié qui permet de maintenir la vitesse à régime moteur réduit.

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.

1. State of high activityB2informal

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

   Surexcitation

   • 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.

   Synonymesbustlecommotionexcitementfever pitchfrenzyhigh gearhyperactivityintensity

2. High gear in vehiclesB2formal

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

   Surmultiplication

   • 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.

   Synonymeshigh gear

• Verbe signifiant conduire un véhicule ou faire fonctionner un mécanisme à une vitesse excessive ou au-delà des limites normales, souvent utilisé métaphoriquement pour pousser quelque chose à sa puissance maximale.

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.

1. Work or drive excessivelyB2informal

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

   Surmener, pousser à l'extrême

   • 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.

   Synonymesexhaustoverburdenoverextendovertaxoverworkstrain

   Antonymeseaserest

2. Use too frequently or extensivelyB2informal

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

   Utiliser à outrance

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

   Synonymeshackneyoverdooveruseoverwork

   Antonymesneglect