boilover noun2 •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. •(Australia, slang) 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 formsboilovers
