Break the ice

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral
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Significado: To start a conversation or ease tension in a social situation

打破僵局,缓和社交场合的紧张气氛
Iniciar una conversación o aliviar la tensión en una situación social
会話を始める、社交的な場の緊張をほぐす
어색한 분위기를 깨다

To overcome initial awkwardness in a social setting, making conversation flow more easily. Like a ship breaking ice to allow passage.

克服社交场合中最初的尴尬,让交谈更加顺畅。就像破冰船破冰开路一样。
Superar la incomodidad inicial en un entorno social, haciendo que la conversación fluya con más facilidad. Como un barco rompiendo el hielo para abrirse paso.
社交の場での最初のぎこちなさを克服し、会話をスムーズにすること。航路を開くために氷を砕く船のようなもの。
사교적인 자리에서 처음의 어색함을 극복하여 대화가 자연스럽게 흐르도록 하는 것. 배가 얼음을 깨고 항로를 여는 것에서 유래했다.

Ejemplos

  1. Let's play a game to break the ice.
    我们来玩个游戏打破僵局吧
    Juguemos a algo para romper el hielo
    緊張をほぐすためにゲームをしよう
    분위기를 풀기 위해 게임을 하자.
  2. She told a joke to break the ice.
    她讲了个笑话来活跃气氛
    Contó un chiste para romper el hielo
    彼女は場を和ませるために冗談を言った
    그녀는 분위기를 풀려고 농담을 했다.
  3. It took a while to break the ice, but then we chatted for hours.
    打破僵局花了一些时间,但之后我们聊了好几个小时
    Costó un poco romper el hielo, pero luego estuvimos charlando durante horas
    打ち解けるまで少し時間がかかったが、その後何時間もおしゃべりした
    처음에는 어색했지만, 일단 분위기가 풀리자 몇 시간이나 수다를 떨었다.

Pronunciación

/breɪk ðə aɪs/

Guía de uso

Contexto: social situations, meetings, parties

Tono: friendly, encouraging

✓ Correcto

  • Break the ice
    打破僵局
    Romper el hielo
    場を和ませる
    분위기를 풀다
  • Let's break the ice
    我们来破冰吧
    Rompamos el hielo
    緊張をほぐそう
    어색한 분위기를 깨자

✗ Incorrecto

  • Very common social expression
    非常常见的社交用语
    Expresión social muy común
    非常に一般的な社交表現
    매우 흔한 사교 표현

Errores comunes

Origen e historia

From the literal ice-breaking ships that cleared paths for other vessels. Metaphorically, breaking through the 'cold' barrier of initial social awkwardness. Used figuratively since the 17th century.

Etimología: From ice-breaking ships clearing passages

Primera vez registrado: Figurative use 17th century

Contexto cultural

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Team building exercises; Party games

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variaciones

Break the iceBreaking the iceIce broken

Frases relacionadas

Más de este tema

Taking the Mickey ★★★★★ Making fun of someone or something; teasing Brilliant ★★★★★ Excellent, wonderful (British emphasis) No Worries ★★★★★ It's fine, don't worry about it, you're welcome Fair Enough ★★★★★ That's reasonable, I accept that You Know What I Mean ★★★★★ Do you understand? (seeking confirmation) It's Not Rocket Science ★★★★★ It's not that complicated or difficult
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