break-the-ice

Vocabulary Word

Definition

"Break-the-ice" means initiating a conversation or action that reduces tension or awkwardness, especially during the beginning of a social interaction. It is basically about making people more relaxed and comfortable talking to each other.

Examples in Different Contexts

At a tech conference, 'breaking the ice' helps in connecting with peers. A software engineer might remark, 'I broke the ice by asking about their favorite programming language.'

Practice Scenarios

Marketing

Scenario:

Before we dive into our marketing strategies, I'd like us to share our personal experiences with the brands we admire.

Response:

Sure, that's an excellent way to break the ice. Sharing our experiences with different brands could also give us valuable insights for our own strategies.

Creative

Scenario:

Our next creative meeting could start with something engaging to spark our creative energies. Maybe we could talk about how our day has been so far?

Response:

An excellent thought! Breaking the ice by discussing our days could help to get the creative ideas flowing faster.