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Break the Ice

To overcome any awkward situation, to help strangers know each other, to overcome social communication difficulties all in a friendly manner, to overcome any sort of nervous situation between different people

Etymology:

  • This term was first used in the 15th and 16th century. Shakespeare used this term for different expressions. This term was also used by navigators to roam around in ice. During extreme winters waterways usually became blocked with ice and it was important to break the ice to move forward. Special boats were designed to break ice and allow other liners to move forward without any difficulty.
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It was important to break the ice, for the new students, by starting a sports week.

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Break the Ice':

break the iceTo start to get to know people, by avoiding awkwardness.
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    "Break the Ice." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/break-the-ice_44511>.

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