over the edge

phrase

: into a mental or emotional state that makes someone completely lose control
His friends worried that the news might send/drive/push him over the edge.

Examples of over the edge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is especially important with fruit pies, to prevent the bubbling fruit juices from spilling over the edge of the pan onto your oven floor. — Melissa Weller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 What pushes Kate over the edge is his insistence that neither Hal nor she would be welcome at Dennison’s funeral. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 And more people are being pushed over the edge in either direction. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 That video appears to show a black bear standing on top of a garbage truck and peering over the edge, but does not show how the bear got there or escaped the situation. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for over the edge

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Over the edge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/over%20the%20edge. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster