1. reduce or simplify something to its most basic or important aspect
Professional
Social
the issue boils down to
The expression 'boils down to' takes the literal meaning of reducing and concentrating a liquid through boiling, and transfers it to the figurative reduction of something to its most essential aspect. For example, if a situation or problem boils down to something then that is the main reason for it. It is commonly used in both a social and professional context and is similar to the phrase 'in a nutshell.'