break the ice

Значение

to help people who have just met feel more relaxed

Помочь незнакомым людям почувствовать себя свободнее.

Примеры

1. 1Our new neighbours broke the ice by inviting the whole street round for tea.
2. 2A quick game at the start of the workshop is a good way to break the ice.
3. 3Nobody at our table knew each other until Sam broke the ice with a silly joke.
4. 4How do you break the ice when you start a new job and don't know anyone?
5. 5The family reunion felt stiff at first, so Gran got the photo albums out to break the ice.

Грамматика

Меняется только break: broke, broken. the ice сохраняется с артиклем the. Родственное существительное — an icebreaker.