源自极地航行时，破冰船（icebreaker）开辟道路让后续船只通过。在社交场合中，指通过某些举动消除初次见面的尴尬或紧张气氛。

• A funny joke is always a good way to break the ice. ^{讲个笑话总是打破僵局的好办法。}
• We played a few games to break the ice at the start of the workshop. ^{我们在研讨会开始前玩了几个游戏来活跃气氛。}
• The host told a story to break the ice among the guests. ^{主人讲了个故事来消除宾客间的陌生感。}