boil down

verb

boiled down; boiling down; boils 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

2

a

: 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

Synonyms

• abstract
• brief
• digest
• encapsulate
• epitomize
• outline
• recap
• recapitulate
• reprise
• sum up
• summarize
• synopsize
• wrap up

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

The sprawling case in Manhattan federal court boils down to a key question for jurors: Was the New Jersey Democrat corrupting his office by taking bribes from three businessmen starting in 2018, as prosecutors allege? —Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

By Kiara Byrd · Updated July 10, 2024 The recipe for any successful relationship boils down to both parties being able to show up authentically and fully themselves. —Essence, 10 July 2024

The issue boils down to whether there can be too much passive investing and if so, how much is too much. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024

In the subsequent two days, talk around the executive’s capability in his new high-flying role has boiled down to three questions: Who is David Ellison today? —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

boil down

verb

: to reduce or become reduced by or as if by boiling

let the sauce boil down

boil down a report