put someone on ice

The phrase "put someone on ice" has versatile meanings, ranging from delaying interactions to more extreme actions, reflecting its idiomatic and slang uses.

Definition

B2General

(idiomatic)To postpone or delay dealing with someone.

Example

  • We decided to put the negotiations on ice until next month.

B2General

(idiomatic)To keep someone inactive or in reserve.

Example

  • The coach put the star player on ice for the rest of the game.

C1Crime

(slang)To murder someone.

Example

  • The gang threatened to put him on ice if he didn't cooperate.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "put someone on ice":

ice upon icefreeze on toon thin icefreeze toice burnstay frostyfreeze brandbreak the icefreeze uptake the chill offblue iceput on the blockdeep freezeput someone in their placecool off