Definition

1. 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

1. being highly angry or excited; ready to boil over
   • after an hour of waiting I was at the boiling point
2. the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level
   • they brought the water to a boil