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. I'm not looking for some lengthy explanation here—just boil the report down to your actions and your results.

See also: boil, down, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012