breaking the ice

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking the ice" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in social situations to describe initiating conversation or easing tension. Example: "To break the ice, she told a funny story at the beginning of the meeting." Alternative expressions include "starting a conversation" and "easing the tension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They walk back to the barn, breaking the ice again.

The New Yorker

"Either way it's great for breaking the ice".

The New York Times

Very nice!" Elder Dangerfield exclaims, breaking the ice with laughter.

The New York Times

"The Great Satan," I replied, fond of breaking the ice.

The New York Times

"Just breaking the ice takes longer," he said.

The New York Times

Some of today's older female players were instrumental in breaking the ice for the next generation.

The New York Times - Sports

Regulars bathe year-round, breaking the ice with their toes in midwinter.

The New Yorker

"She was good at breaking the ice and the tension after a hard day.

The Guardian - Sport

And they are breaking the ice on regional boundaries and isolation in recent design history.

The New York Times

Fear not, these questions are great for breaking the ice, topics vary from sex and relationships to travel and culture.

Independent

When breaking the ice with someone you've just met, you might hesitate to bring up sex (creepy!) or death (morbid!).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breaking the ice" when you want to convey a sense of making people comfortable or initiating a conversation in a potentially awkward or formal setting.

Common error

While "breaking the ice" is widely understood, overuse can make your writing sound unoriginal. Consider using a more specific or vivid phrase depending on the context, such as "initiating a conversation" or "easing tension".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking the ice" functions as an idiom, serving as a figurative expression for initiating conversation or easing tension in a social setting. Ludwig confirms its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

29%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

14%

The Guardian - Sport

6%

The New Yorker

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breaking the ice" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe initiating conversation or easing tension. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its frequent use can make it a cliché, it remains a valuable tool for making social situations more comfortable. When aiming for originality, consider using alternatives like "initiating a conversation" or "easing tension".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiating a conversation

Focuses more specifically on starting a dialogue.

opening dialogue

More formal way of saying starting a conversation.

easing tension

Highlights the reduction of stress or awkwardness.

warming up the atmosphere

Focuses on making the environment more comfortable and friendly.

making introductions

Emphasizes the act of formally presenting people to each other.

creating rapport

Implies building a connection and understanding.

fostering connection

Suggests more deeply the intention of building a relationship.

getting acquainted

Suggests a process of familiarizing oneself with someone.

starting on a good note

Emphasizes beginning positively.

building bridges

Suggests creating understanding between people or groups.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking the ice" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking the ice" to describe making a situation more relaxed or initiating a conversation, like in the sentence, "She told a joke to "break the ice" at the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "breaking the ice"?

You can use alternatives like "initiating a conversation", "easing tension", or "creating rapport" depending on the specific context.

Is "breaking the ice" a cliché?

Yes, "breaking the ice" can be considered a cliché due to its frequent use. While it's widely understood, consider using more original phrasing to make your writing more impactful.

What is the origin of the idiom "breaking the ice"?

The idiom "breaking the ice" refers to clearing a path for others to follow, similar to how a ship breaks ice in a frozen sea to allow other ships to pass. This meaning has been extended to social situations to mean initiating interaction or easing tension.