To attempt something so absurdly broad that it's doomed. Used as a warning in meetings: "we don't need to boil the ocean here." The goal is always more focused than the proposal, and the phrase is the polite way to say so without killing anyone's idea outright.
"Don't try to boil the ocean — just fix the top 3 bugs."
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To undertake an overwhelmingly difficult task or approach to a problem.
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boil the ocean means To attempt something so absurdly broad that it's doomed. It's mostly used in workplace and corporate conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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