overdo

Etymology

From Middle English overdon, from Old English oferdōn, equivalent to over- + do.

verb

1. To do too much; to exceed what is proper or true in doing; to carry too far.
   I overdid the sweets during the holidays and put on some weight.
   Carol had overdone the ventilation and the room was cold. 1952, Patricia Highsmith, chapter 16, in The Price of Salt, New York: Norton, published 2004, page 200
2. To cook for too long.
   to overdo the meat
3. To give (someone or something) too much work; to require too much effort or strength of (someone); to use up too much of (something).
   to overdo one’s strength
   And you’re so weak I’le not pursue you, For fear lest I should overdo you. 1680, Matthew Stevenson, “Acontius to Cydippe”, in The Wits Paraphras’d, or, Paraphrase upon Paraphrase in a Burlesque on the Several Late Translations of Ovids Epistles, London: Will. Cademan, page 134
   […] look abroad and see who are the people that complain of weariness, listlessness, and dejection? You will not find them among such as are overdone with work, but with pleasure. 1799, Hannah More, chapter 16, in Strictures on the Modern System of Female Education, volume 2, London: T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, page 156
   “Oh!” said Mrs. Venables, “how tiresome it all is. I’m sure you’ll wear your brains right out with all these problems. You mustn’t overdo yourself. …” 1934, Dorothy L. Sayers, “A Full Peal of Grandsire Triples”, in The Nine Tailors, London: Victor Gollancz, published 1975, Part 5
4. (obsolete) To do more than (someone); to do (something) to a greater extent.
   In a delicate Garden, where Art hath shewed it’s vtmost, yee shall meet with Roses, Gillyflowers, and Fountaines of Alabaster and Iasper; but thou wilt not so much admire this, as if thou shouldst light on these dainties in a Desert, or in some craggie Mountain, where the hand of nature shall ouerdoe that of art and Industrie. 1629, Cristóbal de Fonseca, translated by James Mabbe, Deuout Contemplations, London: Adam Islip, Sermon 2, page 36
   … it would be their shame for ever to be overdone in mischiefe, nor were they here exceeded. 1654, John Cleveland, The Idol of the Clownes, London, page 35
   the Turks delight but little in the outward Ornament of Houses, nor aspire in the least to overdo each other in the Europaean Custom of Polite and Solid Architecture, yet do they far more exceed us in the rich Ornaments and Contrivances of their Pavilions, 1709, Aaron Hill, chapter 4, in A Full and Just Account of the Present State of the Ottoman Empire, London: for the author, page 28