overboard

[ oh-ver-bawrd, -bohrd ]

adverb

1. over the side of a ship or boat, especially into or in the water:

   to fall overboard.

overboard

/ ˈəʊvəˌbɔːd /

adverb

1. from on board a vessel into the water
2. go overboard informal.
   1. to be extremely enthusiastic
   2. to go to extremes
3. throw overboard
   to reject or abandon

Word History and Origins

Origin of overboard¹

before 1000; Middle English over bord, Old English ofer bord. See over, board

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go overboard, to go to extremes, especially in regard to approval or disapproval of a person or thing:

   I think the critics went overboard in panning that new show.

More idioms and phrases containing overboard

see go overboard .

Example Sentences

For Garland in the Pacific Palisades, modern Halloween is worth every dollar, even if his family sometimes goes overboard.

From Los Angeles Times

The crew tells the others to hold them down, so they do not fall overboard or push someone else in.

From BBC

A woman has died after she went overboard from a cruise ship near the Channel Islands, say rescue services.

From BBC

Redick seemed pleased he didn’t go overboard and made sure his assistants had some say.

From Los Angeles Times

I think that she looks far more comfortable on a boat, even after her father has just jumped overboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disproportionate
• enormous
• exaggerated
• exorbitant
• extra
• extravagant
• extreme
• inordinate
• needless
• redundant
• steep
• superfluous
• unconscionable
• undue
• unreasonable