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break the ice

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break the ice

 

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.

See also: break, ice

break the ice

to start a conversation with someone you have not met before I never know how to break the ice with someone I've just met at a party.

See also: break, ice

break the ice

to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other We played a couple of party games to break the ice.

See also: break, ice

break the ice

1. Make a start, pave the way, as in Newton's theories broke the ice for modern physics. This idiom alludes to breaking ice in a channel so that a ship can pass. [Early 1600s] Also see break ground.

2. Relax a tense or very formal situation, as in Someone at the conference table will have to break the ice. [Early 1600s]

See also: break, ice

break the ice

1. tv. to be the first one to do something. No one wants to break the ice. I guess I will be first.

2. tv. to attempt to become friends with someone. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice.

See also: break, ice

break the ice

1. To make a start.

2. To relax a tense or unduly formal atmosphere or social situation.

See also: break, ice