overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

1

: an automotive transmission gear that transmits to the drive shaft a speed greater than engine speed

2

: a state of heightened activity

going into rhetorical overdrive

Examples of overdrive in a Sentence

He put the car into overdrive.

His acting career is in overdrive.

The reporters went into overdrive to finish their stories on time.

Recent Examples on the Web

In late 2025, as Russia’s battlefield momentum started to decline and Ukraine ramped up its drone and missile attacks against Russian oil infrastructure, Putin put his hybrid war into overdrive. — Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

At high levels, too much caffeine pushes the teen heart and brain into overdrive and can cause acute illness. — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

The traumatic birth sent Marris’ protective instincts into overdrive. — CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

About immediately after getting over the surprise, Veach went into overdrive by watching countless tapes of Jackson. — Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overdrive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• revive
• survive
• dive

Kids Definition

overdrive

noun

over·​drive ˈō-vər-ˌdrīv 

: a transmission gear in an automobile that allows the drive shaft to operate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft