go overboard

Go overboard is a phrase that means to show excessive enthusiasm or to do something excessively.

Go overboard can express that someone shows too much enthusiasm, as in I tend to go overboard when I cook and make too much food.

Go overboard can also be used more generally to refer to someone going to an extreme when they do something, as in Shira really went overboard with this birthday party by hiring twenty clowns!

Example: The science teacher went so overboard with her explanation of molecules that the entire class was confused.

The first records of go overboard come from around 1931. Its literal meaning refers to falling over the side of a ship, especially into the water. The figurative meaning likely comes from this literal meaning.

Go overboard is typically used to mean that a person is doing something that is unnecessary or goes too far in whatever they are doing. You might be warned not to go overboard to avoid this, such as when there is a tight budget or short deadline.

What are some synonyms for go overboard?

• overdo
• overreach
• overrate
• exaggerate

What are some words that share a root or word element with go overboard?

• go
• overboard
• over
• board

What are some words that often get used in discussing go overboard?

• enthusiasm
• excessive

Go overboard is a common phrase that describes a situation in which a person does too much or goes too far.

I go overboard. I get excited, order too much food, plan too much… Also I fall out of boats.

— Ian Bohen (@IanBohen) January 14, 2015

I don't buy new clothes often but when I do, I go overboard haha Gotta love new clothes 👍

— Ali-A (@OMGitsAliA) February 21, 2015

Someone on press row went overboard with the cologne and now I have a headache. #brutal

— ChadinPortland 🎙 (@ChadinRipCity) February 26, 2020

Is go overboard used correctly in the following sentence?

Please don’t go overboard by spending too much money on the gift.