boil over
verb1
To boil to such an extent as to overflow its container.
- I forgot about the rice and it boiled over.
2
Idiomatic, Usually, Of anger To reach the point where aggressive action is taken.
- He b'iled right over, and the tongue-lashing he give that boss Right Liver beat anything I ever listened to. There was heap of Scriptur' language in it, and more brimstone than you'd find in a match factory.1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter XIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
- But as the half progressed, Liverpool's pressure and high-tempo passing game increased United's frustration and it threatened to boil over on the stroke of half-time when Van Persie, who had already been booked, was involved in angry verbal exchanges with several Liverpool players, particularly Gerrard.2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd, via BBC Sport:
3
To act aggressively angry.
- He boiled over all night.
4
Of horse(s) To buck aggressively.
- The stallion boiled over, throwing Robert from her back.
- Derived terms
- a watched pot never boils over, boilover
- Related terms
- boiling point, overboil