shatter the ice
To break the ice in a sudden or dramatic fashion.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He shattered the ice with a loud, unexpected joke.”
“The room was silent until she shattered the ice by shouting a bold, controversial opinion.”
“With a sudden, sharp remark that silenced the room, he shattered the ice and forced the group to confront the tension they had ignored for hours.”
The phrase is a figurative extension of the metaphor established in the earlier idiom to break the ice. It employs the same imagery of clearing a frozen passage, though with a distinct emphasis on the suddenness of the disruption.
- 01
break the ice
To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.
- 02
ice cool
calm and composed in a difficult situation.
- 03
ice maiden
An ice queen; a beautiful but heartless woman.
- 04
ice queen
A beautiful but heartless woman.
- 05
keep one's stick on the ice
To remain vigilant and ready for action.
- 06
keep someone on ice
To keep someone uninformed and waiting for a response.
- 07
on thin ice
Dangerously, hazardously, delicately.
- 08
put someone on ice
To postpone or delay an interaction with someone.
Last updated August 10, 2026