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 of boil down

• summarize
• outline

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 agreement boils down to a branding deal. —Matt Moret, New York Times, 28 May 2026

This boils down to Lyson not knowing how much time was left in the round. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

While there’s a chance Sears may return to the MLB level at some point, the trade will likely be boiled down to Miller’s value versus what the A’s prospects can achieve when all is said and done. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026

The feelings include all of the above, but mostly boil down to excitement. —Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026

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