| Idiom | Break the Ice |
|---|---|
| Example | Pierre was very shy when he met Cindy. He didn't know how to break the ice. |
| Meaning | to overcome the first awkward difficulties in a social situation by a friendly gesture; to ease the nervousness in a situation |
| Origin | As early as the late 1500s and early 1600s, writers like Shakespeare were using this expression. It originally came from navigation through waterways frozen over with ice. Special boats had to break through the ice, clearing the way before any ships could sail. The meaning was transferred to getting a conversation started or making an acquaintance. "Ice" in this idiom represents a cold or awkward feeling among people, especially strangers. |
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