noun
reading too much into things; overinterpretation
Refers to the act of overanalyzing or finding excessive hidden meanings in something, often in a way that is too clever or cynical. Derived from the verb 穿つ (うがつ, to dig into or to probe deeply).
彼の意見は穿ち過ぎだと思う。
I think his opinion is reading too much into things.
その批評は穿ち過ぎで、作者の意図とは違うだろう。
That criticism is overinterpretation and probably differs from the author's intention.
穿つ is the verb meaning 'to dig into' or 'to probe deeply,' from which 穿ち過ぎ is derived. 穿ち過ぎ specifically refers to excessive probing or overinterpretation.
深読み also means 'reading too much into something,' but is more common and neutral. 穿ち過ぎ often carries a nuance of being overly clever or cynical.
Compound of the continuative form of 穿つ (うがつ, 'to dig into, to probe deeply') and 過ぎ (すぎ, 'excess'). The verb 穿つ originally meant 'to dig a hole,' and by extension came to mean 'to probe into the hidden meaning of things.'