break the ice

IPA(Pronunciation)

/ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/

Verb

idiomatic

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, the, ice. / (idiomatic) To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality. / (idiomatic) To introduce conversation.

Japanese Meaning

（慣用句）初対面やぎこちなさがある場面で、緊張や堅苦しさを和らげ、人間関係や会話のきっかけを作ること。 / （会話や社交の文脈で）相手と打ち解けるために、交流の第一歩を踏み出す行動

What is this buttons?

When the lake froze solid, the fishermen used an auger to break the ice before setting their traps.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

湖が完全に凍ると、漁師たちは罠を仕掛ける前にオーガーで氷を割った。

Details

Sense（1）

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, the, ice.

Sense（2）

(idiomatic) To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.

Details

Sense（3）

(idiomatic) To introduce conversation.

If it be so ſir, that you are the man Muſt ſteed us all, and me amongſt the reſt: And if you breake the ice and do this ſeeke, Atchieve the elder: ſet the yonger free, For our acceſſe, whose hap ſhall be to have her, will not so graceleſſe be, to be ingrate.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

Details

Sense（4）

To surmount initial difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning.

breaks the ice

（ present singular third-person ）

breaking the ice

（ participle present ）

broke the ice

（ past ）

broken the ice

（ participle past ）

Details

break the ice

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