overhang
/ˌəʊvəˈhæŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈhæŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈəʊ.və.hæŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈoʊ.vɚ.hæŋ/ (ame, ipa)
overhang — verb
- overhangpresent simple I / you / we / they
- overhangshe / she / it
- overhungpast simple
- overhanging-ing form
1. to extend outward so that one part stays above something lower than it
to extend outward so that one part stays above something lower than it
The balcony overhangs the alley, keeping the shop entrance dry.
something overhangs + place below
Tall pines overhang the path, so hikers duck near the bend.
trees overhang + path
The cupboard overhangs the sink and leaves little room for tall bottles.
Dark branches overhang the playground after the storm bent the fence.
- project
more formal and often used in technical or architectural description
- jut out
stresses a sharper or more sudden outward shape
- extend over
plain descriptive phrase without the compact single-word form
- recede
describes an edge or surface pulling back instead of sticking out
文法句型
something + overhang + [lower place/object]
something + overhang + something
用法筆記
Usually used with a structure, branch, or edge as the subject and the lower area as the object. It often describes something physically projecting above a road, path, doorway, or piece of ground.
常見錯誤
2. to remain above a situation like a threat or burden, making people feel worried
to remain above a situation like a threat or burden, making people feel worried or limited
Questions about the merger still overhang the whole department.
questions overhang + group
Old debts overhang the club and limit its plans for next season.
debt overhangs + organization
Fear of another attack overhangs the town each festival season.
A cloud of suspicion overhung the case even after the arrest.
- lift
used when the burden, doubt, or pressure finally goes away
文法句型
something negative + overhang + situation/group/period
fear/doubt/debt + overhang + something
用法筆記
The subject is usually something negative such as doubt, debt, fear, or uncertainty. It is more formal than simply saying a problem affects something, and it suggests the pressure has not gone away.
常見錯誤
overhang — noun
- overhangsingular
- overhangsplural
1. a part of a roof, cliff, or other surface that sticks out above the space below
a part of a roof, cliff, or other surface that sticks out above the space below it
We ate our noodles under the cafe's overhang while the rain passed.
under + an overhang
The climbers checked the rock overhang before choosing where to place the rope.
rock overhang
Snow slid from the roof overhang and landed beside the front steps.
A vine spread across the wooden overhang above Mei's back door.
- projection
broader and can refer to many kinds of outward extension
- ledge
often flatter and more usable as a narrow shelf
- eave
specifically the lower edge of a roof, not a rock face
文法句型
under + an overhang
rock/roof + overhang
the overhang above + [place]
用法筆記
Often refers to shelter made by a roof or to a rocky section that sticks out above empty space. In everyday use, it commonly appears after 'under' when someone is standing or sitting beneath it.
2. a leftover burden or too much supply that keeps weighing on a market or situatio
a leftover burden or too much supply that keeps weighing on a market or situation
The debt overhang kept the company from hiring new staff.
debt overhang
A large oil overhang pushed prices down again this summer.
oil overhang
The housing market recovered slowly because an overhang of empty flats remained.
Years of war left an overhang that still shapes local politics.
文法句型
a/an overhang of + something
debt/inventory/housing + overhang
用法筆記
Often used for debt, inventory, housing, or other unwanted leftovers that continue to hold back recovery. Compared with sense 1, this sense is abstract and usually appears in economic or political discussion.