Welcome to our fun exploration of “ice” idioms! These are phrases that use the word “ice” to mean something more than just frozen water. They’re easy to understand and you’ll see how we use them in everyday English!
Ice Idioms
Here are 20 ice idioms in English.
1. Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation
Example: He told a joke to break the ice.
2. On thin ice
Meaning: In a risky situation
Example: She’s on thin ice with her boss.
3. Icebreaker
Meaning: Something that starts conversation
Example: The game was a great icebreaker.
4. Put on ice
Meaning: Delay something
Example: We put our plans on ice.
5. Cut no ice
Meaning: Have no influence
Example: His excuses cut no ice.
6. Tip of the iceberg
Meaning: Small part of a big problem
Example: This issue is just the tip of the iceberg.
7. Ice over
Meaning: Become covered in ice
Example: The lake iced over last night.
8. Ice queen
Meaning: Emotionally cold woman
Example: She was known as the ice queen.
9. Skate on thin ice
Meaning: Take risks
Example: He’s skating on thin ice.
10. Walk on ice
Meaning: Proceed carefully
Example: You need to walk on ice around him.
11. Ice cold
Meaning: Extremely cold
Example: The drink was ice cold.
12. Chill to the bone
Meaning: Very cold
Example: The wind chilled me to the bone.
13. Ice up
Meaning: To freeze
Example: The window iced up overnight.
14. Ice storm
Meaning: A storm with freezing rain
Example: The ice storm knocked out power.
15. Clear as ice
Meaning: Very clear
Example: His intentions were clear as ice.
16. Melt the ice
Meaning: Make feel more comfortable
Example: Music helped to melt the ice.
17. Ice in one’s veins
Meaning: Very calm under pressure
Example: She has ice in her veins during crises.
18. Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation
Example: He told a joke to break the ice.
19. Icebreaker
Meaning: Something that starts conversation
Example: The game was a great icebreaker.
20. Put on ice
Meaning: Delay something
Example: We put our plans on ice.
