to shower / drench
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to shower
To give someone a very large amount of something immaterial, such as praise, gifts, or affection.
Nach ihrem Auftritt wurde die Sängerin mit Applaus und Blumen überschüttet.
After her performance, the singer was showered with applause and flowers.
The verb 'überschütten' (to shower / drench) is inseparable. The prefix 'über-' remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Die Fans überschütteten die Band mit Blumen.
The fans showered the band with flowers.
The verb is almost always used in the structure 'jemanden (accusative) mit etwas (dative) überschütten' (to shower/drench someone with something). The accusative object is the person or thing receiving something, and the dative object with 'mit' is what is being given.
Sie überschüttete ihn mit Vorwürfen.
She showered him with accusations.
You can tell whether the literal or figurative meaning is intended from the object after 'mit'. If it is something material like 'Wasser' (water) or 'Sand' (sand), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract things like 'Lob' (praise) or 'Kritik' (criticism), the figurative meaning is intended.
Er wurde mit kaltem Wasser überschüttet.
He was drenched with cold water.
In the figurative meaning, 'überschütten' (to shower) is often combined with positive but also negative emotional things. Typical phrases are to shower someone with praise, gifts, love, but also with criticism or accusations.
Die Großeltern überschütten ihre Enkel mit Geschenken.
The grandparents shower their grandchildren with gifts.
to cover
'bedecken' and 'überschütten' can both have to do with something getting onto a person or thing and covering it. 'bedecken' describes more the state or result: a surface is no longer visible. 'überschütten' emphasizes the movement and the large amount: something is poured, thrown, or given in a very large quantity over someone or something. You can also 'überschütten' someone with praise or questions. For a calm description of a surface, 'bedecken' is more natural. For a sudden or very large amount, 'überschütten' fits better.
Nach dem Vortrag wurde die Expertin mit Fragen überschüttet.
After the lecture, the expert was showered with questions.
Die Kinder bedecken den Tisch mit einer großen Papierdecke.
The children cover the table with a large paper tablecloth.