Break the ice

Meaning

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Usage

Commonly used when meeting new people or starting difficult conversations to signal a friendly opening move.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

The figurative use is recorded from the 16th century, long before steam icebreaker ships, and refers to breaking the ice that keeps people apart. The icebreaker-ship explanation is a later guess.

In English since the 16th century.