boil down

verb

Definition of boil down

transitive verb

1 : to reduce in bulk by boiling

2 : condense, summarize boil down a report

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo reduction in bulk by boiling

2a : to be equivalent in summary : amount his speech boiled down to a plea for more money

b : to reduce ultimately your choices boil down to three

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Examples of boil down in a Sentence

the discussion of the problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points

Recent Examples on the Web

To boil down a long and worthwhile read, Stankey wants HBO to be more like Netflix. — Aaron Pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—AT&T Risking HBO Franchise With Corporate Pressure," 10 July 2018 In the South, back to school quotes all boil down to one thing: Show everybody you were raised right so Mama can hold her head up high at the Piggly Wiggly. — Southern Living, "25 Things Only a Southern Mama Will Say on the First Day of School," 2 July 2018 Poloz’s narrative boils down to something like this: There is more uncertainty in the world today. — Theophilos Argitis, Bloomberg.com, "Trade Threats Will Likely Amplify Poloz’s Caution on Rates," 6 Mar. 2018 My rule of thumb on fights between the Congress and the President usually boils down to one simple idea – never underestimate the power of the President, and his bully pulpit to drive home his arguments. — Jamie Dupree, AJC.com, "Congress faces tricky political week as shutdown fight looms," 15 Jan. 2018 Unfortunately, there is a lack of scholarly consensus on this, which boils down to disputes over statistical modelling. — George Russell, Fox News, "Harsh anti-Trump UN human rights report on US 'extreme poverty' cherry-picks data, assumptions, examination shows," 28 June 2018 Democrats are trying to extend their 12-year hold on the Colorado governor's mansion with a primary that largely boiled down to two candidates: Rep. Jared Polis and former state treasurer Cary Kennedy. — Author: Sean Sullivan, David Weigel, Anchorage Daily News, "Top House Democrat loses in upset; Trump extends his winning streak in GOP primaries," 27 June 2018 This is a complex problem, which also boils down to a simple one of supply and demand. — Amy Chance, sacbee, ""Build a lot more of it": What California can do to solve its housing problem," 18 June 2018 Any band with an even number of members faces certain challenges, which often boil down to simple math. — George Varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Little Big Town a chart-topping, award-winning band with a mission (and a mission statement)," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boil down.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near boil down

Boileau-Despréaux

boiled-off silk

Statistics for boil down

Last Updated

9 Sep 2018

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Time Traveler for boil down

The first known use of boil down was in 1723

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