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

At the end of the day, the success of a technology transformation boils down to user experience. —Judith Magyar, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

In fact, the local app boils down your settings into a simple set of house rules kids can check at any time. —PCMAG, 27 Nov. 2024

Despite the prevailing myth that weight loss boils down to a simple calories in, calories out formula, a variety of lifestyle factors and their ensuing hormonal responses affect the ways our bodies respond to exercise and food. —Malissa Rodenburg, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024

And on the other side of the gender divide, some young women have embraced the 4B movement, which originated in South Korea and boils down to swearing off relationships with men in response to gender inequality and violence against women. —Meredith Conroy, ABC News, 19 Nov. 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