Idiom
break the ice
Meanings
To start friendly conversation or action that makes a tense, shy, or unfamiliar social situation more comfortable.
Definition
To break the ice means to do or say something that helps people feel more relaxed and start talking in an awkward or new situation.
If you break the ice, you make a first friendly move that reduces tension when people do not know each other well or feel uncomfortable. This can be a joke, a simple question, or a small activity that gets conversation going. It is often used about first meetings, new groups, or the start of an event.
Examples
- I tried to break the ice by asking everyone where they were from.
- A quick game helped break the ice at the workshop.
- He told a light joke to break the ice before the meeting started.
- To break the ice, she complimented his backpack and introduced herself.
Common mistake
Learners often use it for ending a conflict, but break the ice usually refers to starting interaction in a new or awkward situation, not resolving an argument.
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 updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky 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 updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a relaxed, friendly chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of what you have done or a difficult situation.