Dictionary

underdo en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English underdon, from Old English underdōn (“to put under”), from Proto-Germanic *under + *dōną (“to put”). Equivalent to under- + do. Cognate with German unterthun (“to put under, subject”).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To do something insufficiently; especially, to undercook.
   • Sorry to say, I've underdone the downspout repair. I think we'd better hire someone to replace the whole thing.
   • Sorry to say, I've underdone the pot roast. I think we'd better put it back in the oven for a bit.
2. (transitive) To do something insufficiently; especially, to undercook. ▸ To do less than is requisite.
   • We warned him not to underdo it. This customer expects attention to detail.
   • Near-synonyms: (of tasks) half-ass, shortchange, phone in
3. (intransitive, transitive, uncommon) To do something insufficiently; especially, to undercook. ▸ To act below one's abilities; do less than one can.
   • Near-synonyms: underachieve, slack off
4. (obsolete, transitive) To put under, subject.

Forms

Antonyms

overcook · overdo · overdo · overdo · overcook · overcook

Deriveds

underdoer

Synonyms

shortchange · slack off · half-ass · phone in · underachieve