A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

overplay one’s hand • play one’s hand for all it is
worth
overplay one’s hand —act in the belief that one is in a stronger
position than one really is: Though our prices were lower we
overplayed our hand, so that our competitors were awarded
the contract.
play one’s hand for all it is worth —make every possible effort
or attempt: Well, you have played your hand for all it was
worth, and you have lost.
overplay something • play something over
overplay something —exaggerate or overemphasize smth.:
There was a level of skepticism in the community, a sense that
the media had overplayed the significance of the virus.
play something over —play smth. such as music or a game
again: “Desperado” a song that I wish had never gotten ruined
by overplay on commercial radio, was so riveting I had to play
it over and over.
override something • ride over something
override something —
1
. have precedence or superiority over
smth.: The day-to-day struggle for survival overrode all other
things. 2. make a decision, etc. ineffective using one’s higher
authority: As managing director, he will be able to override
their decisions.
ride over something —pass across smth. on horseback, bicy-
cle, etc.: Huntsmen have no right to ride over other people’s
land without permission.
overrule something • rule over something
overrule something —make a decision, etc. ineffective using
one’s higher authority: The judgment was overruled by the
European Court of Justice.
rule over something —act as the ruler of a state, territory,
etc.: Babylonia was conquered by Kassite princes who ruled
over it for 576 years and nine months.
overrun someone • run someone over
overrun someone —attack an enemy force: They were sent
off with orders to overrun the troops attacking Shuttleworth’s
forward defenses.
run someone over —
1
. (also: run someone down) knock smb.
to the ground with a vehicle (usually Passive): A woman was
run over while crossing the road. 2. drive a person to a des-
tination: I jumped into a jeep with a kid behind its wheel
waiting to run me over to Ewell’s headquarters.