overplay

overplay (one's) hand

To have too much confidence in one's ability or position and fail to achieve something as a result. Despite how many want the law repealed, the president may be overplaying his hand by trying to completely dismantle it without having something to take its place. He thought he was irreplaceable, and in asking for an absurdly high raise with the threats of quitting, he may have overplayed his hand.
See also: hand, overplay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

overplay your hand

If someone overplays their hand, they act more confidently that they should, because they believe they are in a stronger position than they really are. The right wing drastically overplayed its hand by trying to seize power prematurely. Note: `Hand' in this expression refers to the cards dealt to you in a card game.
See also: hand, overplay
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

overplay your hand

spoil your chance of success through excessive confidence in your position.
In a card game, if you overplay your hand, you play a hand on the basis of an overestimate of your likelihood of winning.
See also: hand, overplay
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

overplay your ˈhand

spoil your chance of success by judging your position to be stronger than it really is: Some say that the actors overplayed their hand, asking for too much money for each appearance.
This comes from card games. If you overplay your hand, you play in a way that is too confident because you think your cards are better than they really are.
See also: hand, overplay
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • overplay (one's) hand
  • overplay your hand
  • be remembered as (something)
  • be remembered as/for something
  • be replaced by (someone or something)
  • be replaced with (someone or something)
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • at expense
  • at (one's) expense
References in periodicals archive
RE: THE "Obsessive" letter (Daily Post, Nov 28) concerning Radio Merseyside's overplayed jingle: "The home of Tony Snell in the morning".
Letter: Overplayed jingles
During the 5 on 0 drill, the coaches can step into the passing lanes to simulate overplay, forcing the players to make backdoor cuts.
A patterned motion offense
Undeniably the performance of the night was biggest hit Chelsea Dagger, which despite suffering from overplay when it was released, was ten times better live.
REVIEW: A Brit of the best in Brum; The Fratellis CARLING ACADEMY
We try to pass it but sometimes you can overplay and Chesterfield caught us out."
SIX-HIT TAUGHT US A LESSON - TAYLOR; COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO In association with COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
At Mansfield we tried to overplay, but tonight we got it right.
Football: Money praise for Saddlers' true grit
BARN UNITED manager Alan Campbell, pictured above with Peter Cooke from Overplay Sports, Northern Ireland distributors for Joma, was a worthy winner of our Joma Manager of the Month award for March.
Football: CAMPBELL REIGNS IN HIS KINGDOM.
Albion overplay the back pass and I don't know why.
Letter: Your Shout - Tomasz Kuszczak
Although #2 is the only player who doesn't wind up at each of the other positions, he is generally the best shooter from that spot on the court and should be able to read a defensive overplay for a backdoor cut to the basket.
A surprise continuity
For more information on Joma Teamwear, contact Overplay Sports, Unit 4 Keeburn Industrial Estate, Woodburn Rd, Carrickfergus.
MANAGE OF THE MONTH
SPECIAL ONE: John Anderson (left), from Overplay Sports (Joma UK), presenting James Todd, of Holywood FC, with his Joma coat for winning the November Manager of the Month Award.
Joma MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Dr Awan said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders overplayed the incident to get political oxygen from it.
PM seeks report about Irfan Siddiqui incident
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the PML-N leaders overplayed the incident to get political oxygen from it.
PM seeks report over incident happened with Irfan Siddiqui: Dr Firdous
It's been so overplayed and overanalysed you would think there would be little mileage in yet another moon landing documentary.
BRILLIANT TRIP TO THE MOON
There's no doubt Tiger overplayed last season and he fatigued as a result, so this year he is listening to his body and it could pay major dividends.
He's Wells within his rights to forego Fargo
INFORMATION Minister Fawad Hussain has no doubt overplayed some of the issues, yet the ban on his participation in the current Senate session seems to be unilateral.
Ban on Fawad