break the ice
do or say something to relieve initial awkwardness
In Spanish
do or say something to relieve initial awkwardness
Examples
- He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.
- She brought a game to the party to break the ice with new guests.
- At the conference, the speaker used a funny story to break the ice.
When it's used
The idiom is common in both informal and professional settings to describe actions that ease initial tension. It appears frequently in conversation and everyday writing. The phrase is well known and often used to describe social interactions.
The common mistake
A common mistake is using the wrong verb form, such as 'broke the ice', when intending to speak in the present tense. It’s important to maintain the correct verb tense according to the context.
Related idioms
FROM WHAT YOU READ TO WHAT YOU SAY
Recognising it isn't the same as using it
Reading an idiom and understanding it is step one. Dropping it into a conversation, at the right moment, without stopping to think, is another — and that only comes from speaking.
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