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

After months of friction between the two countries, the meeting on Friday could break the ice and set the stage for policy negotiations as both presidents navigate pressures from their constituencies.

From Los Angeles Times

There will be close scrutiny on whether Macron and Tebboune seek to break the ice with a phone call, or even a meeting -- possibly at the G20 summit in Johannesburg later this month, where both are expected.

From Barron's

“Next thing you know, they put the other vatos in there and then they put Leonardo in there and we are just like, ‘How should we break the ice?’”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

“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