boilover
A hazardous situation where an attempt is made to extinguish semi-enclosed oil- or petrochemical-fuelled fire with water, generating steam which propels the burning fuel outwards.
Noun
- A hazardous situation where an attempt is made to extinguish semi-enclosed oil- or petrochemical-fuelled fire with water, generating steam which propels the burning fuel outwards.
- A sporting event with an unexpected outcome, especially a horse race where the favourite fails to win.
- […] there was not much good horsemanship. The Derby itself was an ordinary race, something of a boilover for Dark Star […] - 1953, Pastoralists' Review (volume 63, issues 7-12, page 716)
Origin
Deverbal from boil over.