go off the boil: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘go off the boil’ mean?
The idiom go off the boil means to lose motivation, enthusiasm, or interest in something; to become less active, productive, or successful.
Idiom Explorer
Meaning: To stop or cease doing something or to end an activity or behavior.
This idiom is commonly used to indicate the act of discontinuing or putting an end to a particular action or behavior.
The idiom "keep the pot boiling" means to maintain a situation or activity at a satisfactory or acceptable level of progress, especially in order to avoid any interruptions or setbacks.
The idiom "grow cold" means to lose interest, enthusiasm, or affection for something or someone over time.
The idiom "go off half-cocked" means to act without proper preparation or forethought, often resulting in a blunder or failure.
The idiom "go off at score" means to become very angry or upset about something.
The idiom "go down the toilet" means to fail completely or be wasted, often used to describe a situation, plan, or investment that has gone wrong or lost its value.
The idiom "go downhill" means that something is deteriorating or becoming worse over time. It can refer to a decline in quality, performance, or overall condition.
The idiom "go off" means to explode, to suddenly start making a loud noise, or to become spoiled or rotten. It can also mean to happen or take place, especially in a surprising or unexpected way.
The idiom "go off" has multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts. It is primarily used as a phrasal verb and can be both intransitive and transitive.
Enigmatic Decline
The idiom "go off" is often used in conjunction with "go off the boil" to express a sudden decrease or loss of interest, enthusiasm, or energy in a person or situation. It can be used to describe a situation where someone's initial excitement or motivation fades away. This idiom is commonly used in both British and American English, and its usage is well-understood by native speakers.
On the other hand, the idiom "boil up" is used to describe a situation where emotions or tensions intensify or reach a boiling point. It can be used to describe a situation where feelings of anger, frustration, or anxiety escalate rapidly. While "boil up" may be less common than "go off the boil," it is still recognized and used by native English speakers.
Similarly, the idiom "burn out" is another related phrase that is often used to describe a state of exhaustion or fatigue, particularly in relation to work or personal endeavors. It refers to a situation where someone has used up all their energy and motivation, leading to a decline in their performance or interest. "Burn out" can also be used to describe a situation where something, such as a flame or a machine, stops functioning due to excessive heat or overuse.
Lastly, the idiom "grow cold" signifies a gradual loss of warmth or passion in a person or relationship. It is commonly used to describe a situation where someone's feelings or affections diminish over time. "Grow cold" can be applied to various contexts, such as a fading romantic relationship or a waning interest in a particular topic or activity.
The idiom "go off the boil" encapsulates the concept of a decrease in enthusiasm, energy, or determination. It is often used in conjunction with related idioms such as "go off," "boil up," "burn out," and "grow cold" to further convey the idea of a gradual or sudden loss of interest or passion. These idiomatic expressions are commonly used in both British and American English and are well-understood by native speakers. Their usage can be applied in various contexts to describe a decline in performance, commitment, or interest. Overall, they capture the universal phenomenon of a loss of enthusiasm over time, leaving room for further exploration and interpretation.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "go off the boil" can be used in a sentence:
- Ever since the team's star player got injured, their performance has gone off the boil.
- After excelling in her first few months at work, Sarah's productivity seems to have gone off the boil lately.
- The restaurant was amazing when it first opened, but the quality of the food has gone off the boil recently.
More "Decline" idioms
