boil down to

Related to boil down to: a watched kettle never boils

boil (something) down to (something)

To reduce or simplify something to the most basic, essential, or fundamental element(s). Don't overcomplicate your goals and strategies. Boil them down do the essentials—what you want, and how to get them. Make sure you boil your proposal down to the most basic details of what you want to do. Don't start adding superfluous info, or the boss will lose interest.
See also: boil, down
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

boil down to something

 
1. and boil down Lit. [for a liquid] to be condensed to something by boiling. Boil this mixture down to about half of what it was.
2. Fig. [for a complex situation] to be reduced to its essentials. It boils down to the question of who is going to win. It boils down to a very minor matter.
See also: boil, down
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

boil down to, to

To simplify or abridge; to lead to the crux of the matter. This figure of speech transfers the sense of a liquid being reduced and concentrated by the process of boiling to other processes or endeavors. It dates from the late nineteenth century.
See also: boil, down
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • boil (something) down to (something)
  • boil down to something
  • it all boils down to
  • boil down to, to
  • KISS principle
  • KISS rule
  • boil
  • on the boil
  • I don't boil my cabbage twice
  • boil over
References in periodicals archive
"The only way to control the increased CO2 is to control our consumption of fossil fuels, and that is going to boil down to individual lifestyle choices." CONTACT: University of Michigan Biological Station, (734)763-4461, www.umich.edu/~umbs.
For plants, C[O.sup.2] means bigger, not better
The answers boil down to this: Learn to live on 85% of your income.
The wealth builder in you
She contends that the two battles often converge; they boil down to the effort "to push Christ out of our lives, out of our sight, out of our minds, and out of the Mass--just like Cranmer did."
The Orator exposes deviant liturgists (Canada)
For strawberries (you should have 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 cup puree), use 6 cups sugar, 4 cups water, and 1-1/2 cups lemon juice; boil down to 7 cups.
Italian splashes ... they are super-fruity
"There is also a lack of confidence and it can boil down to that, not a lack of match fitness."
IN BRIEF: Allardyce refutes fitness claims
The first heat could boil down to a battle between Ballymac Bullet, Witches Lark and Slippery Bill for the two qualifying places.
Greyhounds: Bourke has got Sound chances
Writing in the 1930s, Aldo Leopold, the environmentalists' icon, said that "conservation will ultimately boil down to rewarding the private landowner who conserves the public interest." President Bush and Secretary Norton understand the wisdom of this statement.
The environment wins with Norton
Ignoring this racist rant from an ill-informed moron, his words boil down to one thing.
CLOWN OF THE WEEK
I think the other group will boil down to Corinthians and Real Madrid.
Football: SIR ALEX FEARS THE BRAZILIANS