Break the ice is a phrase. It is said to have two meanings. When someone considers breaking the ice, he is actually thinking of making a start on some endeavour. The original meaning of this phrase is 'to relax a tensed situation'. This tensed situation could be any formal atmosphere or any social situation. When you meet someone for the first time and that person feels a bit nervous, you could say something or do something to make him/ her feel relaxed or less nervous. You do this make that person more willing to talk. After, your effort, he/ she may or may not be willing to talk to you. But, your effort is regarded as breaking the ice.
This phrase came to be used in English when Lord Byron used it for the first time in his 'Don Juan'. Through this it was connected to its another meaning, 'start of an endeavour'.
This phrase came to be used in English when Lord Byron used it for the first time in his 'Don Juan'. Through this it was connected to its another meaning, 'start of an endeavour'.
