break the ice
/ˌbreɪk ði ˈaɪs/
to initiate conversation in a social setting
break the ice in a sentence
“His joke helped break the ice at the awkward meeting.”
Origin of break the ice
From literal breaking of ice to allow ships passage, used figuratively since 1600s
Related Words
burn bridges
to destroy relationships or opportunities permanently
burn the midnight oil
to work late into the night
bury the hatchet
to make peace; end a conflict
by the skin of one's teeth
just barely; by a very narrow margin
catch-22
a paradoxical situation with no escape due to contradictory rules
cut corners
to do something in the easiest or cheapest way