break the ice
The phrase "break the ice" originated from ships breaking through ice to navigate waters and is now used metaphorically to describe easing social tension.
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Definition
B2Social Situations
(informal)To do or say something that makes people feel more comfortable and relaxed in a social setting.
Example
- She told a funny story to break the ice at the party.
- A good way to break the ice is to ask about people's hobbies.
B2Group Interactions
(informal)To initiate conversation or activity to overcome initial awkwardness among people who are meeting for the first time.
Example
- The team leader suggested an icebreaker game to break the ice.
- He broke the ice by introducing himself and asking everyone their names.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "break the ice":
break the silencebreak inbreak the moldbreak throughbreak new groundon thin icebreak waterice upbreak withbreak groundput someone on icebreak intobreak the storybreak awaytake the chill offbreak one's duckbreak a sweat