Overdrive /(?)/

O·ver·drive

Overdrive

v. t. & i.
  1. To drive too hard, or far, or beyond strength.

overdrive

n.
  1. A gearing device which causes the drive shaft of an automobile or other machine to rotate at a speed greater than that of the engine crankshaft. (Machinery)
  2. The gear setting of a motor vehicle at which the overdrive{1} is operative; as, cruising at 80 mph in overdrive. (Automotive)
  3. A state of unusually intense activity; as, when they got their new supercomputer, their research kicked into overdrive; one look at her made his heart jump into overdrive; -- used mostly of the activities of persons or groups. [fig.]