What is the origin of the idiom "go overboard" and when to use it?

The idiom "go overboard" is believed to originate from nautical terminology, where "overboard" refers to going over the side of a ship and into the water. Going overboard in this context would be an undesirable and potentially dangerous situation. In common usage, it can refer to spending too much money, showing excessive enthusiasm, or taking actions to an extreme degree. This idiom is widely used in both spoken and written English.