over the side of a ship or boat, especially into or in the water:
to fall overboard.
Idioms
2.
go overboard, to go to extremes, especially in regard to approval or disapproval of a person or thing:
I think the critics went overboard in panning that new show.
Origin
before 1000;Middle Englishover bord,Old Englishofer bord. See over, board
British Dictionary definitions for go overboard
overboard
/ˈəʊvəˌbɔːd/
adverb
1.
from on board a vessel into the water
2.
(informal) go overboard
to be extremely enthusiastic
to go to extremes
3.
throw overboard, to reject or abandon
Word Origin and History for go overboard
overboard
adv.
"over the side of a ship," Old English ofor bord, from over + bord "side of a ship" (see board (n.2)). Figurative sense of "excessively, beyond one's means" (especially in phrase go overboard) first attested 1931 in Damon Runyon.
Slang definitions & phrases for go overboard
go overboard
verb phrase
To be smitten with love or helpless admiration: He went overboard for her right away
To commit oneself excessively or perilously; overdo: Take a couple, but don't go overboard
Show excessive enthusiasm, act in an excessive way. For example, It's easy to go overboard with a new stock offering, or She really went overboard, hiring the most expensive caterer. [ Mid-1900s ]