Boil up

verb

To heat a liquid until it starts to bubble and turn to steam.

She started to boil up water for tea.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To heat a liquid until it starts to bubble and turn to steam.

Often appears as...

  • boil up water
  • boil up soup
verb

To become angry or perturbed.

When he heard the bad news, he started to boil up.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To become angry or perturbed.

Often appears as...

  • boil up with anger
  • boil up with frustration

Usage tips

Disapproving

Colloquial

verb

To bring something to a climax or point of tension.

The dispute was boiling up to a full-blown argument.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To bring something to a climax or point of tension.

Often appears as...

  • boil up to a climax
  • boil up to a crisis

Usage tips

Disapproving

verb

To heat a liquid until it starts to bubble and turn to steam.

She started to boil up water for tea.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To heat a liquid until it starts to bubble and turn to steam.

Often appears as...

  • boil up water
  • boil up soup
verb

To become angry or perturbed.

When he heard the bad news, he started to boil up.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To become angry or perturbed.

Often appears as...

  • boil up with anger
  • boil up with frustration

Usage tips

Disapproving

Colloquial

verb

To bring something to a climax or point of tension.

The dispute was boiling up to a full-blown argument.
Visual representation of "boil up" - To bring something to a climax or point of tension.

Often appears as...

  • boil up to a climax
  • boil up to a crisis

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "boil up"
LampPro Tip 1/2

Physical Action

Boil up refers to the literal act of heating a liquid; often used in culinary contexts.

Illustration for Physical Action
When making pasta, first boil up the water.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Starting Point

'Boil up' often indicates the beginning of the cooking process.

Illustration for Starting Point
To prepare the broth, boil up the bones in water.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Physical Action

Boil up refers to the literal act of heating a liquid; often used in culinary contexts.

Illustration for Physical Action
When making pasta, first boil up the water.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Starting Point

'Boil up' often indicates the beginning of the cooking process.

Illustration for Starting Point
To prepare the broth, boil up the bones in water.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Physical Action

Boil up refers to the literal act of heating a liquid; often used in culinary contexts.

Illustration for Physical Action
When making pasta, first boil up the water.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Starting Point

'Boil up' often indicates the beginning of the cooking process.

Illustration for Starting Point
To prepare the broth, boil up the bones in water.
Visual representation of the word "Boil up"

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