boil down to something

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

COMMON If you say that a situation or problem boils down to something, you mean that this is the most important aspect of it. What they want boils down to just one thing. It is land. His advice boiled down to remembering to `dress casually and stay alert'.
See also: boil, down, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • boil (something) down to (something)
  • boil down to
  • 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
However, it may boil down to something much more basic.
Fans get United are not best any more pity the Class of '92 can't do the same
It can boil down to something parents have been telling their children for ages: Use your words, not your fists.
Lessons in peace for life; City students learn nonviolent discourse
Such matters can boil down to something as simple as insufficient recognition of a job well done, or even the sense of a lack of control.
Workplace mental health concerns carry $11-billion pricetag: IAPA to discuss at Oct. 6 Sudbury event
At the end of the day, the arguments all seem to boil down to something similar: If it were more like me, the Republican Party would be better off.
Social adjustment: Washington's young conservatives ponder life in the minority
Can it really boil down to something as basic as hope?
Give us hope, give us health
Throughout his career, Chief Justice Wells keeps finding one legal truth: "The longer I'm here, the more I understand that [legal problems] all boil down to something, that's not a very complicated proposition, but you've got to figure out how to make it not complicated...
Chief Justice Charles T. Wells. (Meet the Court)
He claimed it may even boil down to something as trivial as an awkward glance or be based on who arrives last for breakfast.
Football: FOUR INTO TWO DOESN'T GO; United boss in dilemma over which of his strikers to field in Greek Euro crunch
But if we had only one shot, it might boil down to something as banal as be kind to one another.
Awestruck at this cosmic moment