break the ice

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break the ice

1. Fig. to attempt to become friends with someone. He tried to break the ice, but she was a little cold. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice.

2. Fig. to initiate social interchanges and conversation; to get something started. It's hard to break the ice at formal events. Sally broke the ice at the auction by bidding $20,000 for the painting.

See also: break, ice

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In things that are tender and unpleasing, it is good to break the ice, by some whose words are of less weight, and to reserve the more weighty voice, to come in as by chance, so that he may be asked the question upon the other's speech: as Narcissus did, relating to Claudius the marriage of Messalina and Silius. The Essays by Bacon, Sir Francis View in context About ten men mounted the sides of the Nautilus, armed with pickaxes to break the ice around the vessel, which was soon free. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Verne, Jules View in context So you must be content with giving yourself a dry polish till we break the ice in the well, and can get a bucketful out for the boys. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Dickens, Charles View in context			break ground break heart break in break into break into a gallop Break it up! break loose break loose from break neck break new ground break of break off break on break open break out break out in a cold sweat break out in a rash break out in tears and break in tears break out with break over break ranks break silence break stride break the back of break the bank break the ice break the mold break the mould break the news break the silence break the spell break through break to break to pieces break up break up with break wind break with break with tradition break word breakdown breakfast breaking breaking and entering breaking point breast breath breath of fresh air breathe breathe a sigh of relief breathe a word			break stride break stride break stride break sweat break sweat break sweat break tank break test Break the 4th Wall break the association of break the back of break the bank break the bank break the bank break the bank break the bank break the bank break the bank Break the Barriers break the connection with break the contract Break the Cycle break the fall Break the fourth wall break the habit break the habit break the habit break the habit break the habit break the habit break the ice break the law break the law Break The Matrix break the mold break the mold break the mold break the mold break the mold break the mould break the news break the pattern break the peace break the record Break the Seal break the silence break the silence break the spell Break the Syndicate break through break through break through break through break through break through break through break through break thrust Break Time break to break to pieces

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