Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun idiomatic When referring to a situation gradually becoming worse, without those involved realizing the peril affecting them until it's too late.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From a widespread anecdote describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. The premise is that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.

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