boiling

A problematic situation that will gradually increase in severity until it reaches calamitous proportions, such that the people involved or affected by it will not notice the danger until it is too late to act. It is a metaphor taken from an anecdotal parable about boiling a frog, in which a frog placed in boiling water will immediately try to save itself, but one placed in cool water that is gradually brought to a boil will not notice the heat until it is boiled to death. Drug addiction is often a boiling frog, as many people don't see their addiction as problematic until it has consumed their lives.

The failure to accept, acknowledge, or act against a problematic situation that will gradually increase in severity until it reaches calamitous proportions. It is a metaphor taken from an anecdotal parable about boiling a frog, in which a frog placed in boiling water will immediately try to save itself, but one placed in cool water that is gradually brought to a boil will not notice the heat until it is boiled to death. Many environmentalists accuse naysayers of having boiling frog syndrome, not accepting that damage is being done until the earth is polluted beyond repair.

Of an object, the weather, or a living creature, having an extremely hot temperature. The phrase is an often hyperbolic reference to the boiling point of liquids. I hate July in this part of the country, it's boiling hot down here. Your forehead is boiling hot! I'm taking you to see a doctor.

Furious; extremely angry. The phrase refers to one's "blood boiling," meaning the same thing. John's views were so ignorant and narrow-minded that I was boiling mad after talking to him.

Fig. to anger easily. Be nice to John. He's upset and has a low boiling point. Mr. Jones sure has a low boiling point. I hardly said anything, and he got angry.

if a situation or an emotion reaches boiling point, it becomes impossible to control because the emotions involved are so strong Public anger reached boiling point when troops were called in to control protesters.

A climax or crisis; a high degree of fury, excitement, or outrage. For example, The union's disgust with management has reached the boiling point. This metaphoric term alludes to the temperature at which water boils. [Second half of 1700s]