What Does "Boil the Ocean" Mean?
"Boil the ocean" means to take on an impossibly large or overly ambitious task - trying to do everything at once instead of narrowing the scope.
"Boil the ocean" meaning in business
At work, "let's not boil the ocean" means "let's not try to do everything at once." It is almost always a warning that a plan is too broad or ambitious to succeed, so the advice is to narrow the scope and start small. The phrase is pure hyperbole - you obviously cannot boil an entire ocean - which is exactly why it signals an impossible task. Like most jargon, plainer wording is usually clearer.
Examples of "boil the ocean" in a sentence
In a meeting
"Let's not boil the ocean - pick one segment to start."
On scope
"This plan tries to boil the ocean; we need to narrow it."
In planning
"We can't boil the ocean in one sprint."
What to say instead of "boil the ocean"
- Let's not try to do everything at once.
- This scope is too broad - let's narrow it.
- Let's start small and focus on one thing.
- That goal is unrealistic for one phase.
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LinkedIn speak
Small wins still matter. I wrapped up a small internal reporting project this week. It made one repeated weekly task easier for the team, and it reminded me that useful work does not always need a dramatic launch. #Operations #Productivity #Teamwork
Plain English
I finished a useful internal reporting project. It made a repeated weekly task easier for the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "boil the ocean" mean in business?
In business, "boil the ocean" means to attempt something impossibly large, overly ambitious, or too broad in scope - trying to do everything at once instead of focusing.
Is "boil the ocean" good or bad?
It is almost always used as a warning: "don't boil the ocean." It describes an effort that is too big to succeed, so the advice is to narrow the scope and start small.
Where does "boil the ocean" come from?
It is a hyperbole: boiling an entire ocean is impossible. The phrase uses that image to describe a task so huge it cannot realistically be done.
What can I say instead of "boil the ocean"?
Try "don't try to do everything at once," "the scope is too broad," or "let's start small and focus." These are clearer than the cliche.
Why do people say "boil the ocean"?
It is a vivid way to push back on an over-ambitious plan. Because it is jargon, it can confuse people who have not heard it - plain wording is usually safer.