1 A2 neutral
(Of a liquid) To bubble up and overflow the edge of its container when boiling.
"Turn down the heat — the milk is about to boil over!"
inseparable
boil over
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
For a boiling liquid to bubble up and flow over the edge of its container; or (figuratively) for a situation or emotion to become uncontrollable.
In plain English
When hot liquid spills over the sides of a pot, or when feelings or a situation get out of control.
What does "boil over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
(Of a situation, conflict, or emotion) To become uncontrollable after building up for a period of time.
"Months of tension in the office finally boiled over during the team meeting."
“
The protest boiled over into violence late in the evening.
— BBC News (2011), reporting on civil unrest
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To boil until liquid goes over the edge of the container.
Actually means
When hot liquid spills over the sides of a pot, or when feelings or a situation get out of control.
Usage tip
The literal sense is very common and useful at A2 level. The figurative sense (emotions, conflicts, situations becoming uncontrollable) is widely used in journalism and conversation. Always intransitive.
Words that pair with "boil over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
milk pot pan temper anger situation tensions
How to conjugate "boil over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
boil over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
boils over
he/she/it
Past simple
boiled over
yesterday
Past participle
boiled over
have + pp
-ing form
boiling over
continuous
Hear "boil over" in the wild
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Other ways to say "boil over"
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