Break the ice

打破僵局

當水面結冰時,必須利用工具才能打破。這成語是比喻在一些場合中,當氣氛沉悶或拘謹時,有人可做點甚麼,藉此打破僵局。

e.g.

A: You look so upset.

B: I am on bad terms with Mary.

A: Why don't you try to break the ice with her? She didn't mean to hurt you.

甲: 你看起來很不開心。

乙: 我與瑪利關係惡劣。