ice

an ice-breaker

break the ice - to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other. We usually start the session with an ice-breaker in the form of a game.

be as cold as ice

to be very cold. Come in and get warm, your hands are as cold as ice.

See also: cold

be on ice

if plans are on ice, they are not going to be dealt with until some point in the future. Both projects are on ice until the question of funding is resolved.

be (skating/walking) on thin ice

to be taking a big risk. They knew that by publishing the article they were skating on thin ice.

See also: thin

break the ice

to make people who have not met before feel more relaxed with each other. We played a couple of party games to break the ice.

See also: break

cut no ice with someone

if something cuts no ice with someone, it does not cause them to change their opinion or decision. I've heard her excuses and they cut no ice with me.

See also: cut

put something on ice

be on ice - if plans are on ice, they are not going to be dealt with until some point in the future. Plans for a women-only film screening have been put on ice following threats of legal action.

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break the ice

to start a conversation with someone you have not met before. I never know how to break the ice with someone I've just met at a party.

See also: break

on thin ice

in an uncertain condition. My brother was already on thin ice with the coach when he injured his knee.

Usage notes: often appears as skating or walking on thin ice taking a big risk: They knew that by publishing the article they were skating on thin ice.

See also: thin

put something on ice

to delay something. Both projects have been put on ice until they can be paid for.