on ice
Idioms-
In reserve or readiness. This idiom often occurs with put , meaning “to place in reserve,” as in Let's put that proposal on ice until we have the funds to implement it . This usage alludes to putting things in cold storage for preservation. [ Slang ; late 1800s]
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In prison, as in He's been on ice for ten years . This usage may be derived in part from the slang term cooler for “jail.” [ Slang ; c. 1930]
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With a good chance of success, as in I'm sure she'll win—it's on ice . [ Slang ; early 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Uncertainty among companies has increased noticeably. The war in Iran has put any hope of a recovery on ice for the time being,” Ifo President Clemens Fuest said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Huang made the remarks late in January after the Wall Street Journal reported that Nvidia's plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI had been put on ice.
From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026
It was only about two years ago that he was able to execute the flip confidently on ice, Malinin said.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026
The tactical mastery required has led it to be called "chess on ice", but it might also be considered as "bowls on ice".
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
I held my breath as if I were standing on ice that was cracking beneath me.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
