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Phrase Meanings » break the ice
What does "break the ice" mean?
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Make a start, pave the way, as in Newton's theories broke the ice for modern physics. This idiom alludes to breaking ice in a channel so that a ship can pass. [Early 1600s] Also see break ground.
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Relax a tense or very formal situation, as in Someone at the conference table will have to break the ice. [Early 1600s]
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