Idiom
break the ice
Meanings
To do or say something that starts conversation and makes people feel more comfortable, especially at the beginning of a meeting or social event.
To make the first friendly move in a difficult or tense interaction so communication can begin.
Definition
To break the ice means to do or say something that makes people feel more relaxed in a new or awkward situation.
To break the ice is to reduce tension when people first meet or when a situation feels uncomfortable. It often involves friendly small talk, a joke, or a simple activity that gets everyone talking. The goal is to make conversation easier and help people feel at ease.
Examples
- To break the ice, I asked everyone where they were from.
- Her joke helped break the ice at the start of the workshop.
- We played a quick game to break the ice before the training began.
- I brought homemade cookies to break the ice with my new neighbors.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.