Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.
boil down — verb 1. be the essential element (Freq. 1) The proposal boils down to a compromise • Syn: ↑reduce, ↑come down • Derivationally related forms: ↑reducible (for: ↑reduc … Useful english dictionary
boil down — phrasal verb Word forms boil down : present tense I/you/we/they boil down he/she/it boils down present participle boiling down past tense boiled down past participle boiled down 1) [intransitive/transitive] to become smaller in quantity after… … English dictionary
boil down to — phrasal verb [transitive, never progressive] Word forms boil down to : present tense I/you/we/they boil down to he/she/it boils down to present participle boiling down to past tense boiled down to past participle boiled down to boil down to… … English dictionary
boil down to — COME DOWN TO, amount to, add up to, be in essence. → boil * * * boil down to (figurative) To mean, to signify when reduced to essentials • • • Main Entry: ↑boil * * * ˌboil ˈdown to [transitive] never progressive [ … Useful english dictionary
ˌboil ˈdown to sth — phrasal verb to be the main reason for something, or the most basic part of something Passing exams isn t difficult, it all boils down to good preparation.[/ex] … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
boil down to sth phrasal — verb (transitive not in progressive) informal if a long statement, argument etc boils down to something, that is the main point or cause: What it boils down to, is that no one is willing to take on that kind of responsibility … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
boil — boil1 [ bɔıl ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or transitive if a liquid boils, or if you boil it, it becomes so hot that there are BUBBLES in it and it starts to become a gas: When the water boils, add the rice. Boil some milk in a pan. put something… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
boil — I UK [bɔɪl] / US verb Word forms boil : present tense I/you/we/they boil he/she/it boils present participle boiling past tense boiled past participle boiled * 1) a) [intransitive/transitive] if a liquid boils, or if you boil it, it becomes so hot … English dictionary
boil — [[t]bɔ͟ɪl[/t]] ♦♦♦ boils, boiling, boiled 1) V ERG When a hot liquid boils or when you boil it, bubbles appear in it and it starts to change into steam or vapour. I stood in the kitchen, waiting for the water to boil... [V n] Boil the water in… … English dictionary
come down to — AMOUNT TO, add up to, constitute, boil down to, be equivalent to. → come * * * (of a situation or outcome) be dependent on (a specified factor) it came down to her word against Guy s * * * come down to [phrasal verb] come down to (something) : to … Useful english dictionary
