ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stink on ice

idiom
Meaning

To be of very poor quality, even repulsive.


Origin

disputed origin

From the notion that if organic matter smells bad even when on ice then it must be truly rotten.

Examples
SIMPLE

That new movie really stinks on ice.

CONTEXTUAL

I tried the new restaurant downtown, but the food was terrible and the service stank on ice.

COMPLEX

The manager realized the entire marketing campaign stank on ice, so he scrapped the project before it caused further damage to the company's reputation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    break the ice

    To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.

  2. 02

    ice cool

    calm and composed in a difficult situation.

  3. 03

    ice maiden

    An ice queen; a beautiful but heartless woman.

  4. 04

    ice queen

    A beautiful but heartless woman.

  5. 05

    keep one's stick on the ice

    To remain vigilant and ready for action.

  6. 06

    keep someone on ice

    To keep someone uninformed and waiting for a response.

  7. 07

    on thin ice

    Dangerously, hazardously, delicately.

  8. 08

    pen and Ink

    [Cockney slang]stink

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