simmering

simmering — verb

  • simmeringpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • simmerings3rd person singular
  • simmeringing-ing form
  • simmeringedpast simple

1. to prepare food by keeping it in a hot liquid at a temperature just below the po

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to prepare food by keeping it in a hot liquid at a temperature just below the point where bubbles form, so that it softens and the flavours blend without rapid boiling

例句

Rin let the soup simmer on the stove for another twenty minutes.

simmer + on + [stove] + for + [duration] — time and place pattern

Owen simmered the chicken bones with herbs to make a rich stock.

同義詞
  • boil

    at a higher temperature with large, vigorous bubbles

  • stew

    cook slowly in a closed pot with liquid for a longer time

  • poach

    cook in liquid at a similar temperature, usually for delicate foods like eggs or fish

反義詞
  • boil vigorously

    cook at a full rolling boil with large bubbles

  • deep-fry

    cook by immersing in hot oil instead of water-based liquid

文法句型

simmer + noun phrase (object)

simmer + adverb / prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Frequently paired with time expressions (for 20 minutes, all afternoon) and adverbs of intensity (gently, slowly). In transitive use the object is a food item; in intransitive use the food is the subject.

常見錯誤

Simmer the soup in a rapidly boiling pot.
Simmer the soup over low heat with tiny bubbles.
💡Simmering means cooking just below the boil, not at a full rolling boil.
Let the water simmer for pasta.
Bring the water to a boil for pasta.
💡Pasta needs a full boil, not a simmer.

2. used when a bad feeling or dispute stays hidden beneath a calm surface while slo

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

used when a bad feeling or dispute stays hidden beneath a calm surface while slowly growing more powerful, to the point where it could suddenly burst out into the open

例句

Resentment had been simmering in the office for months before the argument finally broke out.

[emotion] + had been simmering + for + [duration] + before + [result] — narrative pattern

Imran felt anger simmering inside him as his colleague took credit for his work.

同義詞
  • seethe

    stronger and more violent; suggests barely contained fury

  • brew

    develop gradually, often with a sense of inevitability; less emotional charge

  • fester

    implies emotional or interpersonal decay over time; negative and unresolved

反義詞
  • subside

    gradually become less intense or calm down

  • dissipate

    disappear or be released; stronger sense of vanishing

文法句型

simmer + adverb / prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Only intransitive — the emotion or conflict is the subject, never the object of the verb. Subject is typically an abstract noun such as anger, resentment, tension, frustration, disagreement, or dispute.

常見錯誤

She simmered her anger all day.
Her anger simmered inside her all day.
💡This sense is intransitive; the feeling is the subject, not the direct object.
The disagreement simmered up quickly.
The disagreement simmered for months before anyone addressed it.
💡Simmering implies a slow, gradual build-up, not a quick process.

simmering — noun