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Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.

Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.

overreach

overreach
Transitive VerbIntransitive VerbNoun
pl: overreachespast: overreachedpp: overreacheding: overreaching

This term captures the tension between ambition and capacity. When used intransitively, it describes a failure of judgment where a person or entity extends their influence or goals beyond their actual means, resulting in a collapse. It carries a strong connotation of hubris and the inevitable fall that follows an unsustainable expansion.

In its transitive sense, the word shifts toward deception. It implies a predatory cleverness, where the actor uses a sophisticated ruse to manipulate another. As a noun, it often appears in legal or political contexts to describe an abuse of power or a jurisdictional transgression, marking the point where authority becomes overbearing or invalid.

Meanings

Transitive Verboverreach
[~ someone]

To deceive or trick someone, typically by making a false promise or using a clever ruse to gain an advantage.

The cunning salesman tried to overreach his clients with a hidden clause in the contract.

Intransitive Verboverreach

To attempt to do more than is possible or to exceed one's authority, resources, or capabilities, often leading to failure.

The ambitious company overreached by expanding into five new markets simultaneously without sufficient capital.

Nounoverreach

An act of attempting to achieve too much or exceeding one's limits, resulting in a mistake or failure.

Examples

The company overreached by expanding into three new markets in a single year.

The company overreached by expanding into three new markets in a single year.

Business

I think I overreached when I tried to organize the entire conference by myself.

I think I overreached when I tried to organize the entire conference by myself.

Office

The empire eventually collapsed after a series of strategic overreaches.

The empire eventually collapsed after a series of strategic overreaches.

History

Don't overreach and take on more projects than you can actually handle.

Don't overreach and take on more projects than you can actually handle.

Office

It was a classic case of political overreach that alienated the voters.

It was a classic case of political overreach that alienated the voters.

He thought he could overreach the merchant with a fake coin.

He thought he could overreach the merchant with a fake coin.

History

I wonder if the government has overreached its authority with this new law.

I wonder if the government has overreached its authority with this new law.

She feared that her ambition would lead her to overreach.

She feared that her ambition would lead her to overreach.

The scammer tried to overreach the elderly couple using a sophisticated phishing scheme.

Detective

Phrasal Verbs

overreach oneself

to attempt more than one is capable of achieving, resulting in failure

Related Words

Última atualização: May 2026Reportar um erro