break the ice

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.”

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

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

Example Sentences

The U.S. government no longer sends American orchestras to break the ice in places where talk does little, or to simply share culture with no need for politics to get in the way.

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There was no small talk required to break the ice between these two leaders who have become unlikely friends.

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

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Growing up on the East Coast and being a little person, I used comedy as a way to break the ice, and also be like, “Hey, let’s be funny and lighten the situation.”

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"Personally, I think the transition should be gradual, and for certain areas there should be some kind of co-management. But everything will depend on the tact of the mediators, and their ability to break the ice," Mr Sematumba added.

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