come to a boil
Reach cooking temperature
Come to a boil describes liquid reaching the temperature at which it bubbles vigorously—212°F for water at sea level.
The phrase applies literally to cooking: Bring the water to a boil, then add the pasta.
Figuratively, situations come to a boil when tensions or emotions reach a critical point: Protests had been simmering for weeks before coming to a boil.
- ebullitionBubbling or emotional surge
- seetheBoil with quiet rage
- bubbleAir-filled film sphere
- bubbling upRising in small spheres
- steamHeated water's gaseous form
let off steam · vaporization · escalation · reducing · poaching · anger · outbreak · blanching · climax · heat · heated argument · agitation · slow burn · frustration · eruption · pressure cooking · rage · flash point
come to a boilcool down
Reduce temperature or intensity
freeze · chill · cool off · simmer down · ice over
come to a boilcalm down
Become less agitated
cool off · simmer down · de-escalate · settle down · subside
come, comes, came, coming, comer, comers, boil, boils, boiled