overreach
Meaning(s)
1. (try to) do more than you are capable or authorized to do
Popularity
High
Professional
High
Social
How to Memorize
overreach your authority/self
Analysis
To overreach can mean to reach out to far or to attempt to do more than is reasonably possible. To overreach can also mean to get the better of someone by outwitting or outsmarting them. As a noun and overreach refers to the movement of an animal with four legs whereby the hindlegs come forward and hit the forefeet causing an injury.
Social Examples (Basic)
- Buying that apartment was too much of a financial overreach for me. I don't know how I'm going to keep up with the repayments.
- I lost my bet when the horse overreached on the fourth hurdle.
- Many people think they can overreach my mother but she always manages to outsmart them in the end.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- David overreached by trying to expand his business too quickly. He ended up having to close most of his stores.
- The boss accused Anne of overreaching her authority by meeting with the investors without his knowledge.