Search results
- to do or say something that makes people who do not know each other feel more comfortable: I tried to break the ice by talking to the people next to me about the weather.
dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/break-the-ice
People also ask
What does “break the ice” mean?
Why do people break the ice?
What does it mean to 'break the ice' with a joke?
BREAK THE ICE definition: 1. to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other: 2. to make people who…. Learn more.
- Break The Ice Meaning
- Origin of Break The Ice
- Examples of Break The Ice
- More Examples
- Summary
Definition:To get past the initial awkwardness of meeting a new person or an otherwise uncomfortable situation. This idiom is often used to describe saying something friendly to break the silence between two people.
This idiom most likely developed from the practice of boats at sea breaking the ice in a body of water in order to pass through it and clear a path for other boats to also travel through. This phrase has been used with its literal meaning since around the early 1600s, and its idiomatic usage developed somewhat later.
Additionally, this idiom can be used to describe an activity in which groups of people who have just met get to know each other, as it is in the conversation below. Ezekiel: Hey, Maggie, how’s it going? Maggie: Pretty good actually. I’m just planning for a class that I’m going to be teaching this weekend. Ezekiel: Really? That sounds like fun! Magg...
In this excerpt, the idiom is used in the context of giving suggestions on how to make social situations more comfortable. 1. If you’re running out of things to discuss at the dinner table or need to break the ice on a first date, Alexa can come up with suggested topics to keep the conversation flowing to avoid the awkward silence — or maybe just t...
The English phrase break the icemeans to make the first move to be friendly in a social situation and break the awkward silence between two strangers.
Jul 16, 2023 · What does "break the ice" mean? It's an idiom used to describe the act of initiating a conversation or easing tension in a social situation, typically when people are meeting for the first time or don't know each other well.
1. Fig. to attempt to become friends with someone. He tried to break the ice, but she was a little cold. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice. 2. Fig. to initiate social interchanges and conversation; to get something started. It's hard to break the ice at formal events. Sally broke the ice at the auction by bidding $20,000 for the painting.
The phrase “break the ice” is a common idiom used in English language to describe the act of initiating or starting a conversation with someone, especially when meeting for the first time. It is often used in social situations where people may feel awkward or uncomfortable, such as at parties, networking events, or job interviews.
To break down social formality and stiffness. What's the origin of the phrase 'Break the ice'? The earlier meaning of this phrase, that is, ‘to forge a path for others to follow’, alludes of course to the breaking of ice to allow the navigation of boats.
To Break the Ice Meaning Explained. Breaking the ice isn’t about starting a snowball fight or an Antarctic expedition. It’s actually a really common idiom that describes the act of starting a conversation, especially in a tense or awkward situation, which is what the ice represents.
