# What does ‘break the ice’ mean?

To “break the ice” means to ease initial social tension. Brewer's records the phrase from the practical business of breaking ice to allow ships to enter port; hence any first move that opens a way for others.

## What it means

- Brewer's records the phrase from the practical business of breaking ice to allow ships to enter port; hence any first move that opens a way for others.

## Action steps

1. Common in social and business introductions.
2. Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the meeting.

## Sources

- [Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898) — Internet Archive scan](https://archive.org/details/brewers-dictionary-of-phrase-and-fable)

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