Definition of "break the ice" []

• To start to get to know people, by avoiding awkwardness. (verb)

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• "I break the ice by asking if she voted for Christie Todd Whitman in the last New Jersey gubernatorial election."
• "In the evening went to J. B.'s to break the ice for them in commencing family-prayer, but he was out, so after some close conversation with his wife on the subject, we prayed together."