overdose
overdose — noun
1. an amount of medicine or an illegal drug that is large enough to seriously harm
an amount of medicine or an illegal drug that is large enough to seriously harm or kill someone
The singer died from a painkiller overdose in a hotel room.
collocation: die from an overdose
Doctors treated two teenagers for an overdose after the party.
pattern: treat somebody for an overdose
Police found empty pill bottles beside the overdose victim.
A heroin overdose left the young man in intensive care.
The ambulance arrived quickly because staff suspected an overdose.
- drug poisoning
more formal and often used in medical or legal writing
- OD
very informal shorthand, especially in speech
- toxic dose
clinical term focusing on the dangerous amount itself
用法筆記
Often used after die from, recover from, or treat for. In reports, English usually names the substance: an overdose of fentanyl, pills, or alcohol.
常見錯誤
2. more of something than is good, useful, or pleasant
more of something than is good, useful, or pleasant
After a week online, Noah felt an overdose of bad news.
pattern: an overdose of + noun
The ad campaign was an overdose of bright colors and loud music.
By noon, the children had an overdose of sugar and cartoons.
One more meeting felt like an overdose of advice from strangers.
For Mia, the long tour became an overdose of airports and hotels.
- moderation
a controlled amount, not more than is good
用法筆記
Usually followed by of and often used critically about media, food, or repeated experiences. Distinguish from noun/1, which is about drugs and physical danger.
常見錯誤
overdose — verb
1. to use a drug in an amount that seriously harms your body or kills you
to use a drug in an amount that seriously harms your body or kills you
Mina overdosed on sleeping pills after mixing them with wine.
pattern: overdose on + drug
A college student overdosed in the dorm after a party.
The patient nearly overdosed when he took both bottles together.
Police said the driver overdosed on heroin in his car.
Lena overdosed by mistake because both boxes looked the same.
- OD
very informal spoken shorthand
- take too much
plain everyday wording without the medical tone
- overmedicate
often used when the drug is prescribed medicine
文法句型
overdose on + drug or medicine
用法筆記
Frequently followed by on plus the drug or medicine taken. Unlike verb/2, this sense normally describes a medical emergency or death.
常見錯誤
2. to have more of something than is good for you or enjoyable
to have more of something than is good for you or enjoyable
After three action movies, we overdosed on noise and explosions.
figurative pattern: overdose on + experience
Mason overdosed on coffee and could not sleep that night.
By Friday, the team had overdosed on meetings and slides.
Viewers quickly overdosed on the same joke in every ad.
The crowd overdosed on holiday songs before December even started.
- overdo
broader and can also mean doing something too much yourself
- binge on
suggests taking a lot in one period, especially food or media
- have too much
plain wording without the dramatic tone of overdose
- limit yourself
to stop before you have too much
文法句型
overdose on + food, media, or activity
用法筆記
Often used with on before food, entertainment, or repeated experiences, sometimes with a humorous tone. Distinguish from verb/1, which is specifically about drugs.