Meaning of on ice | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended; on hold.
   idiomatic
2. Dead, especially from murder or other nefarious means.
   idiomatic, slang
3. Of an entertainment normally performed on a stage: performed by ice skaters as an ice show.
4. Of a sporting or other contest: in a state of assured victory for the leading contestant.
5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, ice.

Equivalents

Examples

“We're putting the new software features on ice until we can fix⟳ the existing bugs.”

“Shortly after taking to the ice, the bear⟳ broke loose from its leash and went barreling, spinning, slipping, and sliding all around the rink before he was finally restrained and sedated. Needless to say⟳, that act was put⟳ on ice.”

“The agency's dry dock project was on ice. Begun as a routine construction job, the project was now also an archaeological site and, ominously, a resting place⟳ for an unknown number⟳ of human remains.”

“He [Jacques Parizeau] told the press⟳: "We're not saying never, but that project is on ice for quite a while"[…].”

“But after a public consultation, the three closures were put⟳ on ice and the reductions in opening hours revised at many stations [...].”

“Boss says there's a mole in our organization. Find⟳ him and put⟳ him on ice.”

“We went to see⟳ Cinderella on ice.”

“Celebs flocked to the House of Mouse on ice this weekend! Many celeb parents including Christina Aguilera, Armie Hammer⟳, Mila Kunis, Jordana Brewster, Vanessa Lachey and more brought their kids and slid on over to the Staples Center in Los Angeles over the weekend to attend⟳ Disney On Ice: Follow⟳ Your Heart at Staples Center.”

“Near-synonym: in the bag”

“[Frederick] Bohen later reflected that "when she [[Millicent] Fenwick] came out against the pardon as strongly as she did, I think⟳ that put⟳ the election on ice.”

“With [Tug] McGraw on the mound against a left-handed batter, this time Ed Ott, and the bases again loaded, Ott put⟳ the game on ice by belting another grand slam off the beleaguered pitcher.”

“Going to the wine cellar, she said: "I will put⟳ three bottles of Tokay wine on ice.[…]"”

CEFR level