break-the-ice
/ˌbreɪk ðə ˈaɪs/To say or do something that helps people feel more relaxed and comfortable at the start of a social situation. It is used when people do not know each other well and things feel awkward or quiet.
- He told a funny story to break the ice at the meeting.
- The host played a quick game to break the ice.
- She introduced herself first to break the ice with the new team.
Adinary Nuance
The idiom's power comes directly from its origin: a small ship physically smashing a frozen barrier so others can move forward. That nautical image maps beautifully onto social life — the "ice" is the stiffness between strangers, and one brave action melts it for everyone. Because the source image is so vivid, the phrase never feels clichéd to most listeners; it still carries a sense of effort and courage. This origin also explains why we say someone "breaks" the ice rather than "melts" it — the action is deliberate and a little forceful, not passive.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xua tan lạnh lẽo
- Spanish
- romper el hielo
- Chinese
- 破冰
- Japanese
- アイスブレーク
- Korean
- 얼음을 깨다
Etymology
The phrase comes from the 17th-century practice of sending a small boat ahead to break through frozen rivers and harbors so that larger ships could pass safely. By the 18th century, writers began using it figuratively to mean clearing awkward social tension, just as the ice-breaker vessel cleared a physical path.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'break the ice' formal or informal?
- It sits comfortably in both registers. You can use it in casual conversation and in professional or business settings, such as team meetings or networking events, without sounding out of place.
- What is the difference between 'break the ice' and 'icebreaker'?
- 'Break the ice' is a verb phrase describing the action — you break the ice. An 'icebreaker' is the noun for the thing or activity that does this, like an icebreaker game or an icebreaker question.
- Can one person break the ice, or does it need a group?
- One person can break the ice for a whole group. It usually means one individual says or does something that makes everyone around them feel more at ease.
- How do I use 'break the ice' in a sentence at work?
- You can say: 'Let's do a quick introduction round to break the ice before we start the presentation.' It fits naturally in any situation where people are meeting for the first time.