overboard
gb/ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/ us/ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
A2
English
~ 7700
a hajóról a vízbe, túlzásba visz
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] falls/jumps/gets thrown [overboard]
She slipped on the wet rail and fell overboard.
Megcsúszott a nedves korláton, és a hajóról a vízbe esett.
A huge wave hit the deck and nearly swept him overboard.
Egy hatalmas hullám csapott a fedélzetre, és majdnem a vízbe sodorta.
The crew threw several damaged crates overboard during the storm.
The wind tore the life raft loose and sent it overboard.
Passengers were told to shout "Man overboard!" if they saw anyone go overboard.
Learner examples
The man fell overboard at night.
A férfi éjjel a hajóról a vízbe esett.
They threw the boxes overboard to make the boat lighter.
A vízbe dobták a dobozokat, hogy könnyebb legyen a hajó.
A child almost went overboard, but his father caught him.
The storm washed two fishermen overboard.
Everyone ran to the side when someone shouted, "Man overboard!"
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "overboard" with "abroad" because they sound similar. "Overboard" is about going from a boat into the water, while "abroad" means in or to a foreign country. Some learners also try to use "overboard" for falling off something on land (like a chair or a wall), but it is normally used in the context of boats and water.
Meaning
from a boat into the water
Collocations
fall overboard
|go overboard
|jump overboard
|throw someone overboard
|washed overboard
|knocked overboard
Synonyms
into the water (More descriptive phrase; does not specifically suggest a boat or ship.)
Antonyms
aboard (Means on or on board a ship or plane, the opposite of being in the water outside it.)
Themes
travel
|sea
|safety
|transportation
Definition
From a boat or ship into the water.
From a boat or ship over the side and into the water.
B1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] goes [overboard] (on/with [something])
They really went overboard with the wedding decorations.
Nagyon túlzásba vitték az esküvői dekorációt.
I think you're going overboard on the spicy food.
Szerintem túlzásba viszed a csípős ételeket.
The company went overboard trying to impress the new client.
Let's not go overboard; a small gift is enough.
He tends to go overboard with his jokes and sometimes upsets people.
Learner examples
She went overboard with the party food.
Túlzásba vitte a bulira szánt ételeket.
Don't go overboard on sugar; it's not healthy.
Ne vidd túlzásba a cukrot; nem egészséges.
He went overboard trying to help and made more work.
We don't need to go overboard; a simple plan is fine.
My parents go overboard with gifts at Christmas.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "overboard" without a verb, for example "He overboard with gifts" instead of "He went overboard with gifts." In this sense, it almost always appears with the verb "go". Another mistake is confusing this figurative meaning with the literal one and thinking it must always involve water or boats; here it simply means "too much."
Meaning
too much; excessively
Collocations
go overboard
|go overboard on food
|go overboard with decorations
|go a bit overboard
|really went overboard
|go overboard trying to please
Synonyms
excessively (More formal and neutral; lacks the conversational tone and vividness of "go overboard".)
Antonyms
moderately (Suggests doing something in a controlled, reasonable way, the opposite of going too far.)
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that is too much or too strong.
To an excessive or unnecessary degree, especially in enthusiasm, effort, or behavior, typically used in the phrase "go overboard".
Grammar
Dictionary form
overboard
IPA
GB/ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
US/ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
Syllables & stress
over - board (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (over)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: overboard
- Plural: overboards
Word family
Expressions
fall overboard
1/fˈɔl ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
fixed phrase
accidentally go off a boat into water
To accidentally go from a boat or ship into the water.
Examples
- Passengers are told to wear life jackets in case they fall overboard.
- He slipped on the wet deck and fell overboard during the storm.
go overboard
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
idiom
informal
behave in an overly extreme way
To do too much of something or be too extreme, for example with money, effort, or enthusiasm.
Examples
- Try not to go overboard on the snacks; we don't need that much food.
- The director went overboard with the special effects in that movie.
- She always goes overboard when she plans a birthday party.
jump overboard
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
fixed phrase
deliberately jump off a boat into water
To choose to jump from a boat or ship into the water.
Examples
- Several passengers jumped overboard to escape the fire.
- The sailor joked that he would jump overboard if they ran out of coffee.
throw someone overboard
1/θɹˈoʊ sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈoʊvɚbˌɔɹd/
idiom
abandon someone for self-interest
To stop supporting someone and let them take the blame or suffer, usually to protect yourself or your group.
Examples
- When the scandal broke, the company quickly threw the manager overboard to save its image.
- He felt his colleagues had thrown him overboard after years of working together.