Over-set

To cause something to be turned over or upset; to overturn or capsize. This can apply to physical objects, like a container or a boat, or to figurative concepts, like a plan or a situation. It implies a sudden and often undesirable change in state. The term can also suggest exceeding a limit or causing instability. The action may be accidental or intentional, often resulting in a loss of control or a disruption of order.

Over-set meaning with examples

• The clumsy waiter accidentally over-set the tray of drinks, leaving a sticky mess across the dining room. Patrons and staff alike groaned at the calamity. This led to a rush to clean the spill, leading to a delay in service. The incident also caused an unforeseen increase in cleaning costs.
• A rogue wave, unexpectedly surging onto the ship, was powerful enough to over-set the small sailboat, tossing the crew into the churning ocean. Rescue attempts were complicated, and the boat and its contents were lost to the waves. This event highlighted the dangers of sudden changes in the weather.
• The unexpected change in market conditions threatened to over-set the company's meticulously crafted financial projections. The stock market was chaotic, the company's assets appeared to be in decline. This potential failure caused panic among investors. The executives met to restructure their investments.
• During the experiment, a sudden impact caused the carefully arranged dominoes to over-set, ending the intended pattern before it completed. Each domino falling created a different effect. This event emphasized the impact of unforeseen events on carefully structured outcomes.
• Trying to force too much fertilizer onto the plants, the gardener over-set the delicate ecosystem, causing many of the plants to wither and die. This damaged the soil's structure. The plants eventually gave way to weeds.