On ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "On ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being postponed or put on hold. Example: "The project is currently on ice until we secure additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

On Ice!

Wikipedia

On Ice" ice skating show.

Wikipedia

market on ice.

The New York Times

It's Busby Berkeley on ice.

The New Yorker

The champagne is on ice.

Independent

"Bambi on ice," Nick said.

The New Yorker

Don't like skiing on ice?

The New York Times - Travel

Doctor Who on ice!

The Guardian

"Feed, on ice.

The New York Times

Fresh dinner on ice.

The New York Times - Sports

There have been many miracles on ice.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "on hold" as a more direct and commonly understood alternative, particularly in professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "on ice" when you mean something is permanently cancelled or terminated. "On ice" suggests a temporary suspension, not a complete end. For permanent cancellation, use terms like "cancelled", "terminated", or "abandoned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on ice" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of temporary suspension or preservation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage implies a pause rather than a permanent end, as demonstrated in examples like "The project is on ice."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on ice" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that indicates a temporary suspension or postponement. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, Scientific and Wiki contexts. When using "on ice", be mindful of its connotation of temporary delay, and avoid it when something is permanently cancelled. Consider alternatives like "on hold" or "suspended" for clarity, especially in professional settings. Overall, "on ice" is a useful phrase to convey that something is temporarily delayed, but choosing the right alternative in some specific contexts may improve communication accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension or delay, similar to something being "on ice".

in abeyance

Suggests a state of temporary inactivity or suspension, akin to being "on ice".

in cold storage

Implies preservation or retention, sometimes with the connotation of delayed use, similar to some uses of "on ice".

shelved

Indicates that something has been put aside or postponed, similar to being "on ice".

put on the back burner

Signifies a lower priority or postponement, resembling a project "on ice".

tabled

Means to postpone or delay discussion or consideration, similar to putting something "on ice".

suspended

Denotes a temporary cessation or interruption, alike to being "on ice".

in limbo

Suggests an uncertain or undetermined state, similar to being "on ice" pending resolution.

frozen

Implies inactivity or a standstill, similar to some contexts where something is "on ice".

in reserve

Indicates something being kept for later use or a contingency, similar to preserving something "on ice".

FAQs

How can I use "on ice" in a sentence?

You can use "on ice" to indicate something is postponed or suspended temporarily. For example, "The negotiations are "on ice" until next quarter" or "The new product launch is "on ice" pending regulatory approval".

What's a good alternative to "on ice"?

Alternatives to "on ice" include "on hold", "suspended", or "tabled", depending on the specific context. All suggest a temporary delay.

Is it correct to say a project is "on ice"?

Yes, saying a project is "on ice" is a common and acceptable way to indicate that the project has been temporarily suspended or put on hold. It implies the project will resume at a later time. This is confirmed by Ludwig.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "on ice"?

It's inappropriate to use "on ice" when referring to something permanently discontinued or cancelled. The phrase implies a temporary pause, not a complete termination. In such cases, use words like "cancelled", "discontinued", or "terminated".