boil down Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb be the essential element
   reduce; come down.
   
   • The proposal boils down to a compromise
2. verb be cooked until very little liquid is left
   decoct; reduce; concentrate.
   
   • The sauce should reduce to one cup
3. verb cook until very little liquid is left
   concentrate; reduce.
   
   • The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time

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