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

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

Last year, out of what he said was concern for young people and the nation’s birthrates, Ackman urged more men to approach women and break the ice by asking, “May I meet you?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

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 • Dec. 5, 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

They didn’t start the snowmobile up for fear that just yanking on the starter cord would break the ice underneath their feet.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz