Overreach

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːtʃ

Origin

- + reach.

Full definition of overreach

Noun

1. The act of striking the heel of the fore foot with the toe of the hind foot; -- said of horses.
2. The act of extending or reaching too far, overextension.
• 2010, Brian Montopoli, CBS News Obama: People Saw "Overreach" in My Actions:But, you know, I'm sympathetic to folks who looked at it and said, 'This is looking like potential overreach.'"

Verb

1. To reach above or beyond in any direction.
2. To deceive, or get the better of, by artifice or cunning; to outwit; to cheat.
• 1594, William Shakespeare, , III. ii. 144:We'll overreach the greybeard Gremio,
• 1599, William Shakespeare, , V. i. 78:This might be
  the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'erreaches;
  one that would circumvent God, might it not?
3. To reach too far
4. (of horses) To strike the toe of the hind foot against the heel or shoe of the forefoot.
5. (nautical) To sail on one tack farther than is necessary.