break the ice

Cultural  

1. To remove the tension at a first meeting, at the opening of a party, etc.: “That joke really broke the ice at the conference; we all relaxed afterward.”

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break the ice Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

break the ice

Over two decades later, in February 1972, then US president Richard Nixon flew to China to break the ice.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

Behind closed doors, Trump treats Xi with a deference he rarely extends to other leaders, according to people familiar with their meetings, replacing jokes intended to break the ice with compliments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

“One thing that really helps people break the ice is a lot of times people are really generous with their supplies,” Hansen said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2025

We began with some very brief small talk, which always helps to break the ice before a formal sit down, but we didn't touch the topic at hand until the cameras started rolling.

From BBC ● May 3, 2025

I remained as mute as Friday to Crusoe, hoping that he'd break the ice.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos