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

The explanation boiled down to a single sentence in a catchall provision. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 27 June 2024

With a five-item Rent the Runway plan, that boils down to just under $1,200 a year to rent 60 additional clothing items that would each cost hundreds to own. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024

In many states, the crux of the issue boils down to one word: navigability. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 26 June 2024

Such lessons in expediency boil down to keeping their job while facing wrath from all sides, including Congress. —Noëlle McAfee, Scientific American, 13 June 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