bring to a boil

bring (someone or something) to a boil

1. Literally, to heat a liquid and cause it to boil. After you bring that water to a boil, we will add the pasta.
2. To cause someone to become very angry. Watch what you say to him—criticism of his novel tends to bring him to a boil. Please, stop yelling at me—I didn't mean to bring you to a boil!
See also: boil, bring
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

bring someone to a boil

Fig. to make someone very angry. This really brought her to a boil. She was fit to be tied. Lily was really brought to a boil by the news.
See also: boil, bring

bring something to a boil

to heat liquid to its boiling point; to make something boil. First, you must bring the soup to a boil.
See also: boil, bring
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • bring (someone or something) to a boil
  • boil over
  • come to a boil
  • make (one's) blood boil
  • make blood boil
  • make one's blood boil
  • make somebody's blood boil
  • make your blood boil
  • bring (something) crashing down (around) (one)
  • bring crashing down
References in periodicals archive
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for three minutes.
A candid camera ... goes to Italy
To use homemade pectin, according to the same source, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup apple pectin to 4 cups low-pectin fruit juice in a large kettle and bring to a boil; after 2 or 3 minutes of boiling add 2 to 3 cups of sugar and boil rapidly until the jelly stage is reached.
Using homemade pectin
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the tomatoes are soft, about 10 minutes.
See Jane cook
Add beef stock and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
The bounty hunter
Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the carrots are soft.
One-dish dinners
Bring to a boil; add agar-agar and simmer for two minutes.
"This is as panicked as I get!" Alessandro Stratta
Bring to a boil and place in oven; cook until tender.
Eye Candy
Add the chicken stock, lobster stock, tamarind paste, annatto oil and basil stems and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer until reduced by one third, about 30 minutes.
A shaded place in the tropics
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and maintain at a simmer.
Bitter sweet
Add the fish stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the garlic and bouquet garni, and maintain at a simmer.
BISQUE
In a medium saucepan, cover the cannelloni beans, lemon, bay leaf, onion halves, and cloves with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about one hour.
The Staff of Life and Substance of Rebirth
Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
Crepes
For the raisins, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, cover the ingredients with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Apple and Raisin Strudel with Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and maintain at a simmer for one hour.
Celery Root Ravioli with Creamy Polenta and Crayfish
Transfer to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and maintain at a simmer.
Profitroles with Pistachios and Chocolate Mint Ice Cream