overachieve
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to perform better or achieve more than people are generally expected to, often because of high ambition, pressure from family, etc.
-
to perform, especially academically, above the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.
verb
Other Word Forms
- overachievement noun
- overachiever noun
Etymology
Origin of overachieve
1950–55; over- + achieve, or by back formation from overachiever
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Emery, though, defended his side and insisted even if their title hopes are done they are overachieving.
From BBC
With a 29-17 record, entering Wednesday’s games, Boston isn’t merely overachieving in what was supposed to be a down year.
She has observed that many of her patients — overachieving, ambitious women — struggle to embrace pleasure.
From Los Angeles Times
The year’s sharpest pop songwriting came from an overachieving L.A. native who understands at 28 that romantic relationships don’t live — and certainly don’t die — between just two people.
From Los Angeles Times
There is hope however that China will "underpromise but overachieve" as it has with some previous targets, including on renewable energy.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
