U

over-qualify

verb (used with object), qual·i·fied, qual·i·fy·ing.

to provide with proper or necessary skills, knowledge, credentials, etc.; make competent: to qualify oneself for a job.
to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive: to qualify an endorsement.
Grammar. to modify.
to make less violent, severe, or unpleasant; moderate; mitigate.
to attribute some quality or qualities to; characterize, call, or name: She cannot qualify his attitude as either rational or irrational.
to modify or alter the flavor or strength of: He qualified his coffee with a few drops of brandy.
Law. to certify as legally competent.

verb (used without object), qual·i·fied, qual·i·fy·ing.

to be fitted or competent for something.
to get authority, license, power, etc., as by fulfilling required conditions, taking an oath, etc.
Sports. to demonstrate the required ability in an initial or preliminary contest: He qualified in the trials.
to fire a rifle or pistol on a target range for a score high enough to achieve a rating of marksman, sharpshooter, or expert.
Military. to pass a practical test in gunnery.
Law. to perform the actions necessary to acquire legal power or capacity: By filing a bond and taking an oath he qualified as executor.

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to provide or be provided with the abilities or attributes necessary for a task, office, duty, etchis degree qualifies him for the job; he qualifies for the job, but would he do it well?
(tr) to make less strong, harsh, or violent; moderate or restrict
(tr) to modify or change the strength or flavour of
(tr) grammar another word for modify (def. 3)
(tr) to attribute a quality to; characterize
(intr) to progress to the final stages of a competition, as by winning preliminary contests

v.mid-15c., “to invest with a quality,” from Middle French qualifier (15c.) and directly from Medieval Latin qualificare “attribute a quality to; make of a certain quality,” from Latin qualis “of what sort?,” correlative pronomial adjective (see quality) + facere “to make” (see factitious). Meaning “to limit, modify” is from 1530s. Sense of “be fit for a job” first appeared 1580s. Related: Qualified; qualifying.