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.
See Examples For:
“To prevent a boil-over of emotion, or in the effort to limit that, I am refraining from making comments on the issue at this time,” the sheriff said.
From New York Times ● Oct. 28, 2022
Obviously the headgear has had the desired effect and hopefully he can be walked or trotted to the start this time in order to prevent a repeat boil-over.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 20, 2012
Hawaiian rookie Fred Patacchia caused a boil-over in the first heat of the day when he took down World No.5, tour veteran and Gold Coast local Luke Egan.
From Time Magazine Archive
But when the pressure heightens and matters boil over between the quartet, Wilde carefully examines the resulting eruption instead of recoiling.
From Salon ● Jul. 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
Additionally, Google could come out as the biggest winner if concerns about an AI bubble boil over.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 5, 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
Round and round the questions run; Marie-Laure’s mind threatens to boil over.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
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.
