boiling point
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The temperature at which a liquid boils: The specific temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure surrounding it, causing it to change rapidly into a vapor.
- A state of intense anger or excitement: A figurative state where emotions become uncontrollable, akin to a liquid reaching its boiling temperature.
Usage and Examples
- Noun (Scientific/Physical):
- The boiling point of water is 212°F (100°C) at sea level.
- Different substances have different boiling points.
- Noun (Figurative/Emotional):
- His constant complaints pushed her to the boiling point.
- The tension in the room had reached its boiling point.
Advanced Usage
- "to be at/reach the boiling point": To be in or arrive at a state of extreme anger or a critical moment of intensity.
- After the unfair decision, the crowd's frustration was at the boiling point.
- "to bring something to a/the boiling point": To cause a situation or a person's emotions to become extremely intense.
- The harsh criticism finally brought their long-standing argument to a boiling point.
Variants and Related Words
- Boil (verb): To reach or cause a liquid to reach its boiling point. ()
- Boiling (adjective/adverb): Extremely hot; or used informally to mean very angry. ()
- Flashpoint (noun): A point or situation at which violence or conflict flares up; a related concept for the figurative meaning.
Synonyms
- Figurative: Breaking point, limit, climax, peak of anger.
- Scientific: Boiling temperature, vaporization point.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "To make one's blood boil": To cause someone to become extremely angry.
- His arrogant attitude makes my blood boil.
- "To boil over": (For a situation or emotion) to become uncontrollable, erupting from a state of high tension.
- The dispute finally boiled over into a shouting match.
Noun
- being highly angry or excited; ready to boil over
- after an hour of waiting I was at the boiling point
- the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level
- they brought the water to a boil