überspannen — meaning in English

English meaning

• overreach verb To stretch out further than is normal or sensible.
• span noun The distance or length between two points, edges, or supports.
• straddle verb To sit or stand with one leg on each side of something.

Senses

überspannen is used for these senses in English:

• overreach (ambitransitive, figuratively) To do something beyond an appropriate limit, or beyond one's ability; to overextend.
• span (transitive) To extend through the distance between or across.
• straddle (transitive) To be on both sides of something; to have parts that are in different places, regions, etc.

overreach — full definition

1. verb To stretch out further than is normal or sensible.
2. verb (law) To end someone's claim on a property by selling or mortgaging it, so that their right passes instead to the money paid for it.
3. verb To go further than is proper, or further than one is able; to overextend oneself.
4. verb Of a horse: to strike the heel of a forefoot with the toe of a hindfoot.

span — full definition

1. noun The distance or length between two points, edges, or supports.
2. noun A stretch or period of time.
3. verb To extend across or over something.

Related German words