Over and above

Meaning

"Over and above" is an idiomatic expression that means "in addition to" or "more than". It can be used to describe actions or qualities that go beyond what is expected or necessary.

Usage

• The new employee went over and above to help with the project, and it was a huge success.
• The customer service team always goes over and above to ensure their customers are satisfied.
• My friend's mom went over and above for her son's birthday party, decorating the entire house and cooking an amazing meal.
• I really appreciate when people go over and above to help me out, it means a lot.
• The company's CEO went over and above to make sure that all employees were safe during the pandemic.

Roots and History

The idiom "over and above" dates back to the early 19th century and is derived from the phrase "over and above the common course of duty". It was first used in literature in the mid-1800s and has since become a commonly used expression. There are no significant changes in meaning or usage over time.

Synonyms in English

• Beyond what is expected or necessary
• More than enough
• Above and beyond
• Exceeding expectations
• Beyond the call of duty

Synonyms in other languages

• En plus de ce qui est attendu ou nécessaire (French)
• 超越预期的，超出必要的 (Chinese)
• Más allá de lo previsto o necesario (Spanish)
• Още больше, чем ожидалось или необходимое (German)
• Au-delà des attentes et du devoir (French)

Similar Idioms

• on demand

• on the brink of

• show the door