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Phrase(s): 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.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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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]
American Heritage Idioms