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

Internet connection issues Your Wi-Fi issue may boil down to something as simple as loose or incorrectly placed internet cables. —Kara McGinley, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025

The result boiled down to multiple defensive stops for the Gators, starting with Will Richard’s block on a jumper that was followed by a Joseph Tugler turnover after a battle underneath the hoop with 1:22 left to play. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Old hands at this situation have plenty of advice for first-timers, all of which boils down to this: lower your standards as far as possible without inviting a visit from Child Protective Services. —Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025

This case boils down to who should make sensitive medical decisions—parents who know their child best and love them the most, or the government. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for boil down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

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