overheat

/ˌəʊvəˈhiːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈhiːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈhēt/ (ame, mw)

overheat — verb

  • overheatpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overheatshe / she / it
  • overheatedpast simple
  • overheating-ing form

1. to become so hot, or make something so hot, that it may stop working properly or

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to become so hot, or make something so hot, that it may stop working properly or become unsafe

例句

The soup overheated while Nora answered a long phone call.

intransitive: something overheats

Christopher switched off the printer when it started to overheat.

pattern: start to overheat

同義詞
  • heat up

    more neutral; it does not always suggest a dangerous or excessive level

  • burn

    stronger; often implies damage from too much heat

  • scorch

    usually about the surface being burned or marked by heat

反義詞
  • cool down

    become less hot after being too warm

  • chill

    make something colder, often below room temperature

  • stabilize

    keep the temperature from rising further

文法句型

something + overheats

overheat + something

start/begin to overheat

用法筆記

Often used for engines, computers, batteries, or food on the stove. When you name the cause, English commonly adds 'because', 'from', or 'by + -ing'.

常見錯誤

❌The laptop was heating too much.
✅The laptop was overheating.
💡use 'overheat' when the rise in temperature becomes excessive or risky.

2. If an economy or market overheats, it grows too quickly and starts pushing price

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

If an economy or market overheats, it grows too quickly and starts pushing prices up in an unhealthy way.

例句

Cheap loans and easy credit can overheat a city's housing market.

transitive: overheat + housing market

By summer, the tourism boom had overheated the island's rental market.

同義詞
  • boom

    can be neutral or positive; it does not always imply harmful pressure

  • surge

    focuses on a sharp rise in one figure rather than judging the whole economy

  • inflate

    usually narrower and often used when prices or values are pushed upward

反義詞
  • cool down

    become less active after growing too fast

  • slow

    grow less quickly or with less demand pressure

  • stabilize

    return to a healthier and more balanced state

文法句型

the economy/market + overheats

overheat + the economy/market

begin/start to overheat

用法筆記

Often appears in business news about an economy, market, or sector. It is more negative than simply saying something is booming because it suggests harmful pressure or imbalance.

常見錯誤

❌The economy is overheating because business is good.
✅The economy is overheating because prices and borrowing are rising too fast.
💡use this sense for unhealthy growth pressure, not just for any strong economy.