Overhaul
/ˈoʊvərˌhɔːl/
nounverbB2
Definition
Overhaul means to take a close look at something and repair or improve it completely. It is often used when machines, equipment, or systems need big repairs or updates to work better. It can also mean making important changes to plans or ideas to improve them.
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See It in Action
A complete examination and repair of something (noun)
- •The car needs a full overhaul before the long trip.
- •The engine overhaul took several days to finish.
- •After the overhaul, the machine worked much better.
To examine and repair or improve something completely (verb)
- •They decided to overhaul the old heating system.
- •The company overhauled its website to make it easier to use.
- •We need to overhaul the plan to fix its problems.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "overhaul" like "fix," but much bigger and deeper—it's not just a small repair, it's a full check and repair of everything
- ✓Picture a car being taken apart, cleaned, and fixed piece by piece so it runs like new again
- ✓It's the feeling when you clean your whole room carefully and organize everything from top to bottom
- ✓Sounds like "over-hall" → Imagine going "over" a big "hall" checking every corner and fixing what is broken
- ✓Think of a mechanic working on an old bike, checking all parts to make it perfect again
- ✓NOT like "repair" (small fix), overhaul means a complete and careful fixing of all parts
- ✓NOT like "replace" (throw away old, put new), overhaul means fixing and improving what already exists
- ✓NOT like "update" (small changes), overhaul is a big, thorough improvement or repair
Try Other Words
- •Renovate: to improve or repair a building or system (Use when talking about buildings or places, or when improving appearance)
- •Repair: to fix something broken (Use when only small or specific parts need fixing)
- •Revamp: to improve or change something completely (Use when focusing on making something look or work better, often for plans or systems)
- •Service: to check and maintain machines (Use when regular maintenance is needed, not a full repair)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "over-" (above, completely) + "haul" (to pull or carry)
- •Etymology: From English words "over" meaning fully or completely and "haul" meaning to pull or drag; together meaning to take something apart and fix it fully
- •Historical development: Originally used for pulling or moving things completely; later used for full repairs or improvements especially in machines
- •Modern usage: Used for complete repairs or improvements of machines, systems, or plans to make them work well again
Reflect & Connect
•When might it be better to overhaul something instead of just fixing it quickly?
•How can an overhaul of a plan or idea be different from overhauling a machine?
Fill in the blanks
1.The old airplane needed an overhaul because many parts were ___ or broken.
2.After the engine overhaul, the car started ___ more smoothly and quietly.
3.They decided to overhaul the company’s policies to ___ better results.
4.Unlike a small repair, an overhaul requires checking ___ parts carefully.
5.The computer system was overhauled to ___ security and speed.
6.Sometimes it is cheaper to overhaul a machine than to ___ it completely.
7.The mechanic recommended an overhaul because simple fixes would not ___ the problems.