boilover

[ boil-oh-ver ]

noun
  1. the act or fact of boiling over: an automatic burner control that eliminates boilovers.

Origin of boilover

1
Noun use of verb phrase boil over

Other definitions for boil-over (2 of 2)

boil-over
[ boil-oh-ver ]

nounAustralian and New Zealand Slang.
  1. an unexpected result.

Origin of boil-over

2
Noun use of verb phrase boil over

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use boilover in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for boilover (1 of 2)

boilover

/ (ˈbɔɪlˌəʊvə) /


nounAustralian
  1. a surprising result in a sporting event, esp in a horse race

  2. a sudden conflict

British Dictionary definitions for boil over (2 of 2)

boil over

verb(adverb)
  1. to overflow or cause to overflow while boiling

  2. (intr) to burst out in anger or excitement: she boiled over at the mention of his name

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with boilover

boilover

Erupt in anger, excitement, or other strong emotion. For example, The mere mention of a tax increase will make Kevin boil over. This phrase alludes to overflowing while boiling. [Second half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.