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What hams do
Answer for the clue "What hams do ", 8 letters:
overplay
Alternative clues for the word overplay
Word definitions for overplay in dictionaries
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"to emphasize (something) too much," 1933, a metaphor from card games, in to overplay (one's) hand , "to spoil one's hand by bidding in excess of its value" (1926), from over- + play (v.). The word was used earlier in a theatrical sense. Related: Overplayed ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context intransitive English) and (context transitive English) To overdo or overact one's effect or role. 2 (context transitive English) To present something in a manner more dramatic than necessary. 3 (context transitive English) To overestimate ...
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
verb COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS ■ NOUN hand ▪ The unions overplayed their hand in the end. ▪ If his opponents were intent on overplaying their hand , it could only improve his position with the cardinal. ▪ Eventually, however, Safdarjung overplayed his hand ...
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
v. exaggerate one's acting [syn: overact , ham it up , ham ] [ant: underact ]
Usage examples of overplay.
When even her own supporters could not tear their eyes from the holograms of the angry-looking commanders, she saw that she was the one who had overplayed her hand.
Some of the watchers and agents in our ranks overplayed their hands when their regular channels to the outside were cut off.
It was during a second, intensive questioning of Scaevinus that Rufus overplayed his role as inquisitor, browbeating Scaevinus mercilessly.
Spellbound, the circle of pupils watched him with nary a titter at the appearance of an old and overweight wizard trying to tiptoe like an actor overplaying the part of a skulking thief.
He resented it, and felt Hooper was merely indulging himself and overplaying the role of victim.
Not only are you incapable of double-dealing, not only are you incapable of thinking along double-dealing lines, you're not even capable of thinking of the consequences to the double-dealer who has overplayed his hand.
A soothing word here and there, being careful not to overplay the soothing syrup.