reach (a) boiling point
reach (a) boiling point
1. To reach a limit in patience, temper, or equanimity, after which one loses control of one's emotions. Likened to the temperature at which a given liquid boils. I reached a boiling point with the kids last night. All their fighting and shouting drove me crazy!
2. To reach the point at which a situation becomes critical, calamitous, or uncontrollable. Tensions in the region have reached boiling point—full-scale war seems inevitable now.
See also: boiling, point, reach
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
reach boiling point
COMMON
1. If an emotion, especially anger, reaches boiling point, it becomes so strong that it cannot be controlled. Her frustration and anger had reached boiling point. Note: You can also say that an emotion is close to boiling point. Tempers were already close to boiling point as the dispute continued for the ninth day.
2. If a situation reaches boiling point, it becomes very dangerous or extreme and cannot be controlled. The situation reached boiling point after an argument between two teenagers, one white, one Asian, outside a fish and chip shop.
See also: boiling, point, reach
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- reach boiling point
- boiling point
- have a low boiling point
- bloom of youth
- broom closet
- closet
- a change of tack
- (one's) (hand)writing is like chicken scratch
- spit (out) the dummy
- spit the dummy