View synonyms for overplay

overplay

[ oh-ver-pley ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to exaggerate or overemphasize (one's role in a play, an emotion, an effect, etc.):
The young actor overplayed Hamlet shamelessly. The director of the movie had overplayed the pathos.
to put too much stress on the value or importance of:
A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence.
Cards. to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss.
Golf. to hit (the ball) past the putting green.
Archaic. outplay.

to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact:
Without a firm director she invariably overplays.

overplay

/ ˌəʊvəˈpleɪ /

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + play

He is counting on his opponents to overplay their hand, and a forgiving public to let him do his job as governor.

Republicans here have their work cut-out, but there is always the possibility that the Democrats will overplay their hand.

Wells transformed old cheating and heart songs into soul music by resisting the overplay of emotion, writes singer Laura Cantrell.

The main hope for the Have Nots is a Republican tendency to overplay their hand.

“Obama has to be careful not to overplay this as something he did personally,” says Feehery.

Even with such a negligible quantity as a deserted husband, it is a mistake to overplay the part.

She was not fool enough to overplay her hand, so her greeting was still disdainful, but when he tarried she did not send him away.

We scold it caressingly, as one reproves the overplay of a gracious child.

"Some day, though, he'll overplay his game," Benito prophesied.

Browse