on the boil

phrase

1
British, informal : in a state of activity or development
The deal is still on the boil.
kept their romance on the boil
2
: on a hot burner/stove so that a liquid would boil
She put the kettle (of water) on the boil.

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Cite this Entry

“On the boil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20boil. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

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