bring to a boil
Make bubbles appear
To bring something to a boil is to heat a liquid until it reaches its boiling point and bubbles vigorously: Bring the water to a boil before adding the pasta.
The phrase often appears in recipes as a transitional step.
Figuratively, to bring something to a boil is to intensify a situation until it reaches a critical point: Tensions had been simmering for weeks before the scandal brought them to a boil.
Cook just under boiling
- blanchScald briefly, then cool
- parboilPartially cook in water
- poachCook gently submerged
- scaldBurn with hot liquid
steam · reduce · braise · stew · sauté · deglaze · stock · broth
Increase in severity
- intensifyIncrease in degree
- heightenIncrease in degree
- inflameIntensify emotion or irritation
- aggravateMake more severe
exacerbate · provoke · incite · anger · tension · temper · emotions · conflict
Gas-filled liquid spheres
- simmerCook just under boiling
- steamHeated water's gaseous form
- stovetopBurner platform for cooking
- burnerHeat-producing device component
saucepan · pot · kettle · lid · temperature · thermometer · scalding · evaporation
simmer
Cook just under boiling
scald · steam · reduce · braise · stew · sauté · deglaze · stock · broth · roux
escalate
Increase in severity
aggravate · exacerbate · provoke · incite · anger · tension · temper · emotions · conflict · crisis
bubbles
Gas-filled liquid spheres
burner · saucepan · pot · kettle · lid · temperature · thermometer · scalding · evaporation · condensation