Boil over
verb
When a liquid gets too hot and flows out of its container.
I left the pot on the stove for too long, and the soup started to boil over.
Often appears as...
- milk boil over
- soup boil over
verb
When feelings, typically negative, become too strong to control and it shows in your behavior.
The heated argument made her anger boil over and she started shouting.
Often appears as...
- anger boil over
- frustration boil over
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
When a situation becomes uncontrollable, usually leading to a dramatic or violent event.
Contention among the leaders made the political tension boil over into open conflict.
Often appears as...
- conflict boil over
- tension boil over
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
When a liquid gets too hot and flows out of its container.
I left the pot on the stove for too long, and the soup started to boil over.
Often appears as...
- milk boil over
- soup boil over
verb
When feelings, typically negative, become too strong to control and it shows in your behavior.
The heated argument made her anger boil over and she started shouting.
Often appears as...
- anger boil over
- frustration boil over
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
When a situation becomes uncontrollable, usually leading to a dramatic or violent event.
Contention among the leaders made the political tension boil over into open conflict.
Often appears as...
- conflict boil over
- tension boil over
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Meaning
Used to describe the actual event of a heated liquid overflowing from a container.
Keep an eye on the pot or it might boil over.
Pro Tip 2/2Monitor Cooking
Often happens in cooking when the heat is too high or the pot is unwatched.
Turn the heat down so the milk doesn't boil over.
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Meaning
Used to describe the actual event of a heated liquid overflowing from a container.
Keep an eye on the pot or it might boil over.
Pro Tip 2/2Monitor Cooking
Often happens in cooking when the heat is too high or the pot is unwatched.
Turn the heat down so the milk doesn't boil over.
Pro Tip 1/2Literal Meaning
Used to describe the actual event of a heated liquid overflowing from a container.
Keep an eye on the pot or it might boil over.
Pro Tip 2/2Monitor Cooking
Often happens in cooking when the heat is too high or the pot is unwatched.
Turn the heat down so the milk doesn't boil over.
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