boil something down: translation

boil something down†

1. Lit. to condense or thicken something, such as a liquid. •

I have to boil this gravy down for a while before I can serve it.

•

You boil down the sauce and I'll set the table.

2. Fig. to reduce a problem to its simple essentials. •

If we could boil this problem down to its essentials, we might be able to solve it.

•

We don't have time to boil down this matter. This is too urgent.