Are you looking for a way to make an awkward situation more comfortable? Maybe you are in a roomful of new people that you never met before. If so, you may be looking for a way to break the ice. While this may sound like something chilly, it’s actually a great way to open up the floor for conversation. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
Breaking the can literally means breaking through frozen water. However, the most common meaning of the phrase “break the ice” is to reduce tension or awkwardness. Turing a strange or uncomfortable situation into a friendly one by making small talk or cracking jokes is one of the main forms of breaking the ice. To make others feel wanted or included is another meaning of breaking the ice.
Making others feel relaxed or comfortable is a common meaning behind the phrase. Reducing unfamiliarity is also known as breaking the ice. Saying or doing something that puts those around you at ease is also breaking the ice. It can be as simple as playing a game, introducing yourself, asking questions, or making a joke. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“I am not really sure how to break the ice with my new coworkers, they have all been with the company for years”.
“Meeting new people can be hard, but look for simple ways to break the ice and get the conversation flowing”.
“Talking about current events in pop culture is a great way to break the ice with people under 30”.
“Using politics to break the ice can either go really good or really bad depending on which side of the aisle your audience sides with”.
Origin
The idiom break the ice can be traced back to the late 1570s. The term originally was used to refer to ice boats that were used to break through sheets of ice in the ocean. These icebreakers were used to clear the way for regular travel and shipping boats to make it through the same waters. The phrase “break the ice” in this time was quite literal.
It found use in other ways around 1579 when Sir Thomas North use the phrase metaphorically. He wrote, “To be the first to break the Ice of the Enterprize.” This can be considered the earliest adaptation of the phrase for casual use. The current use of the phrase came about in the 17th century when Samuel Butler published a poem in 1663 titled Hudibras. The English mock-heroic narrative stated that the orator broke both the silence and the ice, referring to the tension in the room. Since that time, the phrase has been used as a way of explaining starting a new venture or breaking the tension in any situation.
Phrases Similar to Break The Ice
- Lay the first stone
- Break ground
- Lead the way
- Get your feet wet
- Lead off
- Cut the first turf
Phrases Opposite to Break The Ice
- Clam up
- Stand off
- Create tension
- Put a stop to
- Close down
- Phase out
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper way to say the phrase is - to break the ice.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Break The Ice
The phrase is difficult to get wrong as it can only apply to literally breaking frozen water, or breaking the tension in the room. Most people make mistakes with the context as opposed to how it is used.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Break The Ice
Some ways that break the ice is used correctly are:
- Joanne left me a list of topics that are great ways to break the ice with people from this area.
- Before going out to dinner with a new group of people, look up some neutral topics that will help you break the ice.
- Starting at a new school can always be awkward, but talking about the school’s sports team will always be a good way to break the ice.
- If you both love food, then talking about your favorite dishes can be a simple way to break the ice on your first date.