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Meaning of break the ice | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C1
ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs

Definitions

  1. To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.
    idiomatic
  2. To introduce a conversation.
    idiomatic
  3. To surmount initial difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning.
    idiomatic
  4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, the, ice.

Equivalents

Čeština prolomit ledy prolomit ledy
Deutsch das Eis brechen
Ελληνικά σπάω τον πάγο
Español romper el hielo
Suomi keventää
Français briser la glace
Italiano rompere il ghiaccio
日本語 口火を切る 言い出す 話を切り出す
Nederlands het ijs breken
Português quebrar o gelo
Русский положи́ть нача́ло сде́лать пе́рвый шаг
Türkçe kabuğunu kırmak

Examples

“Including a few fun details in large group introductions can be a great way to break⟳ the ice.”
“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.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

break the Internet break the interwebs break the mold break the mould break the news break the Sabbath

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