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

That, in turn, boils down to a series of other, interrelated questions that will largely determine who wins. —David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

In the Trump campaign’s view, their fate ultimately boils down to young men who have been disengaged from politics but who could deliver Trump a victory. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

These factors, according to the International Organization for Migration, boil down to five primary drivers: economics, demographics, social, political and environmental. —Shai Zamanian, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

According to Howard, who was creatively involved with the Fallout show, the success or failure of these adaptations ultimately boils down to telling great stories with respect to the existing lore and world-building. —George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 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