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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.
Break the ice. English Idiom. Meaning: To initiate conversation or interaction in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable and less tense. Often used to describe the first step in getting to know someone or making an awkward situation more relaxed. Origin: The idiom "Break the ice" originated from the practice of ships breaking ...
Jul 16, 2023 · As an idiom, 'break the ice" means to start a conversation or activity in a way that makes people feel more comfortable and relaxed. The literal meaning of the phrase is to break a layer of ice, such as a frozen lake or river. Engaging in some light social interaction, like making casual small talk, telling a joke, or sharing an amusing story ...
The figurative use is quite old and was recorded by Sir Thomas North in his 1579 translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the noble Grecians and Romanes: “To be the first to break the Ice of the Enterprize.”. It wasn’t until the latter part of the 17th century that it took on its current meaning of ‘establish a relaxed relationship in ...
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Idiom: break the ice 1. To do or say something to make people more relaxed in a social situation and get people talking to each other (e.g., party, business meeting, conference, first day of class). NOTE: Breaking the ice helps people feel more comfortable and less tense in a new situation or event where people are meeting for the first time. Often...
— At the conference will have several activities to help people break the ice. — It’s always easiest to break the icewith a few drinks. — Everybody at the meeting already knows each other so let's not have one of those corny exercises to break the ice. — Unfortunately, his sexist jokes did nothing to break the iceamong the meeting attendees. — What...
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Summary. The English phrase break the ice means to make the first move to be friendly in a social situation and break the awkward silence between two strangers. Break the ice definition. Learn this idiom along with other words and phrases at Writing Explained. Meaning of to break the ice. How to break the ice.
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Jun 4, 2022 · Origin. The old and original meaning of the phrase “break the ice” is to clear a blocked path and make way for others and also related to boat navigation by breaking the ice. The metaphoric use is pretty ancient and was documented in 1579 by Sir Thomas North in his translation of Plutarch’s Lives of the noble Grecians and Romanes:
