[Idiom] BREAK THE ICE. - Ease Into Social Situations Confidently

Reduce awkwardness or ease into conversation.

Break the ice" refers to actions taken to alleviate initial awkwardness and encourage more natural communication among people. Historically, this idiom comes from the days of ships breaking through icy waters to reach port, which has translated into breaking through social stiffness. Whether in networking events, team meetings, or social gatherings, understanding how to "break the ice" can significantly improve interpersonal relations and open doors to meaningful interactions.

Example Sentences

1. He used a joke to break the ice.

   He made a joke to reduce the tension and ease initial awkwardness among people.

2. Can you break the ice at the meeting?

   Asking you to ease the tension at the meeting with some initial remarks or actions.

3. She broke the ice by introducing everyone around the table.

   Her introduction of each person helped alleviate initial awkwardness among them.