Meaning & Origin
Figurative sense: taking the first step to remove social stiffness, e.g., telling a light joke before a meeting or asking a simple question at a networking event.
Historical roots: In the 17‑century river trade, small boats literally “broke the ice” so larger ships could pass. By the 1800s, writers had adopted the phrase for starting friendly relations.
Pronunciation Guide
Say it as brayk thuh ICE
brayk → long “a” sound like “day”
thuh → soft “th” plus a quick “uh”
ICE → emphasized, just like the frozen stuff
Tip: Replay the video and echo speakers three times.
Usage & Sentence Examples
- “We used a fun poll at the start of the webinar to break the ice.”
- “Complimenting the host’s playlist broke the ice at the party.”
- “A quick round of introductions will break the ice before negotiations.”
Synonyms
• ease tension
• start a conversation
• warm up the room
• get people comfortable
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