Differences between boil away and boil down
Boil away and boil down are both phrasal verbs that involve boiling, but they have different meanings. Boil away means to continue boiling until the liquid has evaporated, while boil down means to reduce the volume of a liquid by boiling it.
Meanings and Definitions: boil away vs boil down
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Boil away
- 1To evaporate or disappear through boiling.
Allow the liquid to boil away until you are left with tender vegetables and little moisture left in the pan.
- 2To evaporate completely.
Check every 20 minutes to make sure the water has not boiled away.
Boil down
- 1Simplify, reduce to the essentials.
The report's so long, I BOILED it DOWN into a two - page summary.
Usage Examples: boil away, boil down in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
boil away
Example
The water will boil away if you leave it on the stove for too long.
Example
The sauce boils away as it simmers on low heat.
boil down
Example
We need to boil down the main points of the presentation.
Example
She boils down the complex information into a simple summary.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Boil away
To turn from a liquid into a gas, usually due to heat.
Example
The water in the pot evaporated as it boiled away.
To vanish or become unnoticeable.
Example
The hours disappeared as she worked on her project, and suddenly it was morning.
To gradually decrease in size or amount.
Example
Her savings dwindled as she paid off her debts and bills.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Boil down
To make something smaller or less in size, amount, or degree.
Example
She needed to reduce the sauce to thicken it and intensify the flavor.
To increase the strength or intensity of something by reducing its volume or size.
Example
The coffee beans were concentrated to create a rich and flavorful espresso shot.
simplify
To make something easier to understand or deal with by reducing its complexity or scope.
Example
He tried to simplify the instructions for the new software program to help his colleagues use it more efficiently.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “boil”
- boil down to
- boil down
- boil over
- boil up
Phrasal Verbs with “away”
Phrasal Verbs with “down”
Differences in boil away vs boil down: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: boil away or boil down?
Both boil away and boil down are commonly used in cooking and food preparation. However, boil down is more frequently used in recipes and instructions, while boil away is used more in casual conversation.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of boil away and boil down
Neither boil away nor boil down are particularly formal or informal. They are both suitable for everyday conversations, as well as more professional settings like cooking classes or food blogs.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of boil away and boil down
The tone of boil away and boil down can differ based on context. Boil away often carries a sense of urgency or impatience, while boil down can imply a more careful or deliberate approach.
