B
(as of Nov 26, 2007)- Bad Mouth
- Baker's Dozen
- Beating Around the Bush
- Blow Your Own Horn
- Born With a Silver Spoon In One`s Mouth
- Break the Ice
- Burn the Midnight Oil
- By The Book
Sample Idiom
Break the Ice
Sentence
John was very shy when he was first introduced to Jane. He didn't know how
to break the ice.
Explanation
to overcome the first awkward difficulties in a social situation by starting
a friendly conversation; to take away the nervousness in a situation
Origin
This expression is believed to have originally came from navigation through waterways
frozen over with ice. Special boats had to break through these ice, clearing the way
before any ships could sail through. "Ice" in this expression represents the awkward or
"cold" situation feeling among strangers, or newly introduced friends.
