about to boil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to boil" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where something, typically water, is nearing its boiling point. Example: "The kettle is about to boil, so please get the teabags ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"THE street", said Gaza's senior policeman, "is about to boil".

The Economist

Was he about to boil over or just listening hard?

The New York Times - Arts

Heat the coconut milk until it's just about to boil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Heat the milk until frothy and just about to boil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and the old Soviet Union were about to boil over.

The New York Times - Arts

Lorenz signed off hyperbolically: "Joba mania is about to boil over in the Bronx".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Getting used to eating Marmite is like the old saying about how to boil a frog — if you drop a frog into a pot of hot water, it will jump out, but if you drop it into a pot of lukewarm water and slowly increase the heat, it won't know anything's wrong until it's too late!

WikiHow

The release in November of a police video that showed a white officer shooting a black teenager, Laquan McDonald, 16 times caused longstanding anger about police conduct to boil over.

The New York Times

About a year ago I attempted to boil some eggs and this time I actually got the eggs in the pot before I proceeded to go into the other room and completely forget about them.

Vice

Bobby thought of a trussed crab unaware that it is about to be boiled alive.

The New Yorker

And here are some lusty turns of phrase, "pullulating narcissim," "palsied silence," "originary trauma," "incinerated introversion" with the coup de grace being "a harnessed baby's loose limbs waggled and its head bobbed disinterestedly around" like "a trussed crab unaware that it is about to be boiled alive".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to boil" when you want to express that something is on the immediate verge of reaching its boiling point, either literally (water) or figuratively (a situation).

Common error

Avoid using "about to boil" in overly dramatic or hyperbolic contexts. While it can effectively describe tense situations, overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound cliché. Consider alternatives like "on the verge of" or "close to" for more nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

Expressing Imminent Action or State: The phrase "about to boil" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating that a substance or situation is on the immediate verge of reaching its boiling point or a state of intense activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to boil" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the immediate approach of a liquid to its boiling point, or metaphorically, a situation nearing a critical or explosive state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use. Predominantly found in news and lifestyle content, it maintains a neutral tone. When writing, avoid overusing it in melodramatic scenarios to retain its impact. Alternatives like "on the verge of" or "nearing" can provide more nuanced expression. Its frequency and diverse applications in reputable sources underscore its validity and versatility in both literal and figurative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of boiling

Emphasizes the imminence of reaching the boiling point, similar to "about to boil".

on the point of boiling

Similar to "on the verge of boiling", highlighting the precise moment before boiling.

nearing boiling point

Focuses on the process of approaching the boiling point, rather than the immediate moment.

close to boiling

Indicates proximity to the boiling point, slightly less emphatic than "about to boil".

just before boiling

Specifies the timing as immediately preceding the act of boiling.

almost boiling

Simple and direct, indicating a high degree of proximity to boiling.

at the brink of boiling

Emphasizes the precariousness or finality of reaching the boiling point.

ready to boil

Suggests a state of preparedness or readiness for boiling to occur.

on the cusp of boiling

Implies a transitional state just before boiling, more metaphorical.

approaching a boil

Highlights the ongoing process of getting closer to boiling.

FAQs

How can I use "about to boil" in a sentence?

You can use "about to boil" to describe a liquid nearing its boiling point, such as "The water is about to boil, so I'm adding the pasta". It can also describe a situation nearing a breaking point, such as "Tensions in the region are about to boil over".

What are some alternatives to "about to boil"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of boiling", "nearing boiling point", or "close to boiling" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about to be boiling" instead of "about to boil"?

While grammatically understandable, "about to boil" is the more common and concise way to express the idea of something nearing its boiling point. "About to be boiling" sounds less natural.

Can "about to boil" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "about to boil" can be used metaphorically to describe situations where emotions or tensions are high and nearing a breaking point, such as in the phrase "The crowd was about to boil over with anger".