To overuse something means to use it so much that it loses its effectiveness, becomes damaged, or stops working properly. When a joke gets overused, it stops being funny because everyone's heard it a hundred times. When a phrase like “literally” gets overused, it loses its punch and people stop paying attention to it.

You can overuse physical things too. A baseball glove that gets overused without proper care might crack and fall apart. Students sometimes overuse certain words in their writing, like “very” or “said,” when more interesting alternatives would make their work stronger. Athletes who overuse the same muscles without rest risk injury.

Even good things can become problems through overuse. Antibiotics lose their power when overused because bacteria adapt to them. A talented basketball player who overuses the same move becomes predictable to defenders.

Overuse shows that moderation matters. Whether it's a joke, a tool, a strategy, or even a compliment, using something at the right time and in the right amount keeps it powerful and effective.