boil over

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Word: Boil Over

Definition:
"Boil over" is a verb phrase that means to overflow or cause to overflow when something is boiling. This usually happens when a liquid, like water or milk, gets too hot and bubbles up, spilling over the sides of the container.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "boil over" to describe what happens when a pot of liquid gets too hot and spills over.
• It can also be used figuratively to describe emotions that overflow, such as anger or excitement.

Examples:

1. Literal Use:
   "I left the milk on the stove for too long, and it boiled over, making a mess."

2. Figurative Use:
   "When he heard the unfair news, his frustration boiled over, and he yelled at his boss."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, "boil over" can refer to situations where emotions or tensions rise to a breaking point. For example: - "After weeks of tension, the argument finally boiled over into a serious confrontation."

Word Variants:

• Boiling (noun): The act of a liquid changing to vapor.
• Boiled (adjective): Cooked in boiling water.

Different Meanings:

1. Literal Meaning: Referring to liquids overflowing.
2. Figurative Meaning: Referring to emotions or situations that become uncontrollable.

Synonyms:

• Overflow
• Spill over
• Erupt (in the context of emotions)
• Burst (in the context of emotions)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

1. "Let it boil over": To allow a situation or emotion to escalate instead of addressing it right away.

   • Example: "Instead of discussing the problem, she let it boil over, and it caused more issues later."

2. "Boiling point": The point at which a person becomes very angry or a situation becomes too intense.

   • Example: "He reached his boiling point when he was blamed for something he didn’t do."

Summary:

"Boil over" is a versatile phrase that describes both a physical action of liquids spilling and a metaphorical expression of emotions becoming uncontrollable.

Academic

Verb

1. overflow or cause to overflow while boiling
   • The milk is boiling over

Synonyms

• overboil