overassert oneself

phrase

1

: to speak or act too forcefully or aggressively

Many officers see disrespect as a threat, not just to their job performance, but sometimes to their lives. For them, choosing to dominate testy citizens without overasserting themselves is not only an art but an attitude.

—Deborah Sontag and Dan Barry

Yet there was a delicate balance. As a new guy, he didn't want to overassert himself. But given his position, he couldn't remain completely silent.

—Patrick Stevens

2

: to become too strongly apparent

It contributes to the architecture by lightening the massive effect of the facade. It does its architectural duty without overasserting itself …

—William Wilson