boil-over
noun
an unexpected result.
boil-over
American
[boil-oh-ver]
/ ˈbɔɪlˌoʊ vər /
noun
Australian and New Zealand Slang.
boil over
British
verb
-
to overflow or cause to overflow while boiling
-
(intr) to burst out in anger or excitement
she boiled over at the mention of his name
boil over
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of boil-over
Noun use of verb phrase boil over
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The action in stocks on Thursday showed just how quickly simmering concerns in one corner of the market can boil over into a large-scale rout.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026
Worker unrest could boil over in home country France, largely spared mass layoffs until now, where bosses say they want to slash work-from-home options.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
And when enough people feel shamed into silence and emotionally browbeaten into shutting down, things boil over.
From Slate • Jun. 23, 2025
It’s a bitter feud the likes of which are seldom seen in law enforcement circles — or at least those that boil over into public view.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2025
“It has to boil over to taste good,” Adam said.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
