overshot

Everyday

1. Went past a place, line or target by mistake, without stopping where you meant to. tree →
2. Went over a planned amount, time or budget: "We overshot the budget." tree →
3. (overshot wheel) A water wheel where the water falls onto the top of it. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life a driver overshoots a turning or a bus stop. In sport a ball overshoots the goal. In maths and science, overshooting means going past the target number or estimate; you then correct back. In history and technology, an overshot water wheel is turned by water poured onto its top.

Examples

• We overshot the turning and had to drive back. tree →
• The rocket overshot the target by a few metres. tree →
• His throw overshot the basket completely. tree →
• We overshot our budget by five pounds at the fair. tree →
• The plane overshot the runway and stopped in the grass. tree →
• The mill used an overshot wheel, with water falling from above. tree →
• The huntsmen, in their haste, overshot the place of his concealment. tree →

Note

Irregular: overshoot - overshot - overshot (not "overshooted"). Opposite: undershoot, undershot (stop short). In maths, if the target was 100 and you reached 108, you overshot by 8 (subtract the target from what you got).