释义 |
break the ice
break B0450700 (brāk)v. broke (brōk), bro·ken (brō′kən), break·ing, breaks v.tr.1. To cause to separate into pieces suddenly or violently; smash.2. a. To divide into pieces, as by bending or cutting: break crackers for a baby.b. To separate into components or parts: broke the work into discrete tasks.3. To snap off or detach: broke a twig from the tree.4. a. To cause to undergo a fracture of (a bone, for example): The impact of the fall broke his leg.b. To experience a fracture in (a bone, for example): I broke my wrist when skateboarding.5. To crack without separating into pieces: broke the mirror.6. a. To destroy the completeness of (a group of related items): broke the set of books by giving some away.b. To exchange for smaller monetary units: break a dollar.7. To vary or disrupt the uniformity or continuity of: a plain that was broken by low hills; caught the ball without breaking stride.8. Electricity To render (a circuit) inoperative by disruption; open.9. To open (a shotgun or similar firearm) at the breech, as for loading or cleaning.10. a. To force or make a way through; puncture or penetrate: The blade barely broke the skin.b. To part or pierce the surface of: a dolphin breaking water.11. To produce (a sweat) copiously on the skin, as from exercise.12. To force one's way out of; escape from: break jail.13. To make or bring about by cutting or forcing: break a trail through the woods.14. a. To find an opening or flaw in: They couldn't break my alibi.b. To find the solution or key to; uncover the basic elements and arrangement of: break a code; break a spy ring.15. To make known, as news: break a story.16. To surpass or outdo: broke the league's home-run record.17. To overcome or put an end to, especially by force or strong opposition: break a deadlock in negotiations; break a strike.18. Sports To win a game on (an opponent's service), as in tennis.19. To lessen the force or effect of: break a fall.20. To render useless or inoperative: We accidentally broke the radio.21. To weaken or destroy, as in spirit or health; overwhelm with adversity: "For a hero loves the world till it breaks him" (William Butler Yeats).22. To cause the ruin or failure of (an enterprise, for example): Indiscretion broke both marriage and career.23. To reduce in rank; demote.24. To cause to be without money or to go into bankruptcy.25. To fail to fulfill; cancel: break an engagement.26. To fail to conform to; violate: break the speed limit.27. Law To cause (a will) to be invalidated because of inconsistency with state inheritance laws or as a result of other legal insufficiency.28. a. To give up (a habit).b. To cause to give up a habit: They managed to break themselves of smoking.29. To train to obey; tame: The horse was difficult to break.v.intr.1. To become separated into pieces or fragments.2. To become cracked or split.3. To become fractured: His arm broke from the fall.4. To become unusable or inoperative: The television broke.5. To give way; collapse: The scaffolding broke during the storm.6. To burst: The blister broke.7. a. To intrude: They broke in upon our conversation.b. To filter in or penetrate: Sunlight broke into the room.8. To scatter or disperse; part: The clouds broke after the storm.9. Games To make the opening shot that scatters the grouped balls in billiards or pool.10. Sports To separate from a clinch in boxing.11. Sports To win a game on the opponent's service, as in tennis: broke twice in the first set.12. To move away or escape suddenly: broke from his grip and ran off.13. To come forth or begin from a state of latency; come into being or emerge: A storm was breaking over Miami. Crocuses broke from the soil.14. To emerge above the surface of water.15. To become known or noticed: The big story broke on Friday.16. To change direction or move suddenly: The quarterback broke to the left to avoid a tackler.17. Baseball To curve near or over the plate: The pitch broke away from the batter.18. To change suddenly from one tone quality or musical register to another: His voice broke into a falsetto.19. Linguistics To undergo breaking.20. To change to a gait different from the one set. Used of a horse.21. To interrupt or cease an activity: We'll break for coffee at ten.22. To discontinue an association, an agreement, or a relationship: The partners broke over a financial matter. One hates to break with an old friend.23. To diminish or discontinue abruptly: The fever is breaking.24. To diminish in or lose physical or spiritual strength; weaken or succumb: Their good cheer broke after repeated setbacks.25. To decrease sharply in value or quantity: Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs.26. To come to an end: The cold spell broke yesterday.27. To collapse or crash into surf or spray: waves that were breaking along the shore.28. Informal To take place or happen; proceed: Things have been breaking well for them.29. To engage in breaking; break dance.n.1. The act or an occurrence of breaking.2. The result of breaking, as a crack, separation, or opening: a break in the clouds.3. The beginning or emergence of something: the break of day.4. A sudden movement; a dash: The dog made a break toward the open field.5. An escape: a prison break.6. An interruption or a disruption in continuity or regularity: television programming without commercial breaks.7. A pause or interval, as from work: a coffee break.8. A sudden or marked change: a break in the weather.9. A violation: a security break.10. An often sudden piece of luck, especially good luck: finally got the big break in life.11. Informal a. An allowance or indulgence; accommodating treatment: The boss gave me a break because I'd been sick.b. A favorable price or reduction: a tax break for charitable contributions.12. A severing of ties: made a break with the past; a break between the two families.13. Informal A faux pas.14. A sudden decline in prices.15. A caesura.16. Printing a. The space between two paragraphs.b. A series of three dots ( ... ) used to indicate an omission in a text.c. The place where a word is or should be divided at the end of a line.17. Electricity Interruption of a flow of current.18. Geology A marked change in topography such as a fault or deep valley.19. Nautical The point of discontinuity between two levels on the deck of a ship.20. Music a. The point at which one register or tonal quality changes to another.b. The change itself.c. An improvised instrumental solo played in jazz and other popular music while the other musicians stop or play softly.21. A change in a horse's gait to one different from that set by the rider.22. Sports The swerving of a ball from a straight path of flight, as in baseball or cricket.23. Sports The beginning of a race.24. Sports a. A fast break.b. The separation after a clinch in boxing.25. Games The opening shot that scatters the grouped balls in billiards or pool.26. Games A run or unbroken series of successful shots, as in billiards or croquet.27. Sports & Games Failure to score a strike or a spare in a given bowling frame.28. Sports A service break.29. Variant of brake6.30. Break dancing.Phrasal Verbs: break away1. To separate or detach oneself, as from a group.2. To move rapidly away from or ahead of a group: The cyclist broke away from the pack.3. To discontinue customary practice. break down1. To cause to collapse; destroy: break down a partition; broke down our resolve.2. To become or cause to become distressed or upset. To have a physical or mental collapse.3. To give up resistance; give way: prejudices that break down slowly.4. To fail to function; cease to be useful, effective, or operable: The elevator broke down.5. To render or become weak or ineffective: Opposition to the king's rule gradually broke down his authority.6. To divide into or consider in parts; analyze. To be divisible; admit of analysis: The population breaks down into three main groups.7. To decompose or cause to decompose chemically.8. Electricity To undergo a breakdown. break in1. To train or adapt for a purpose.2. To loosen or soften with use: break in new shoes.3. To enter premises forcibly or illegally: a prowler who was trying to break in.4. To interrupt a conversation or discussion. To intrude.5. To begin an activity or undertaking: The Senator broke in during the war years. break into1. To interrupt: "No one would have dared to break into his abstraction" (Alan Paton).2. To begin suddenly: The horse broke into a wild gallop. The child broke into a flood of tears.3. To enter (a field of activity): broke into broadcast journalism at an early age. break off1. To separate or become separated, as by twisting or tearing.2. To stop suddenly, as in speaking.3. To discontinue (a relationship). To cease to be friendly. break out1. To become affected with a skin eruption, such as pimples.2. To develop suddenly and forcefully: Fighting broke out in the prison cells.3. To ready for action or use: Break out the rifles! To bring forth for consumption: Let's break out the champagne.4. To emerge or escape.5. To be separable or classifiable into categories, as data.6. To isolate (information) from a large body of data. break through To make a sudden, quick advance, as through an obstruction. break up1. To separate or be separated into pieces: She broke up a chocolate bar. The river ice finally broke up. To interrupt the uniformity or continuity of: An impromptu visit broke up the long afternoon.2. To scatter; disperse: The crowd broke up after the game.3. To cease to function or cause to stop functioning as an organized unit or group: His jazz band broke up. The new CEO broke up the corporation.4. To bring or come to an end: Guards broke up the fight. They argued, and their friendship broke up.5. Informal To burst or cause to burst into laughter.Idioms: break a leg Used to wish someone, such as an actor, success in a performance. break bread To eat together. break camp To pack up equipment and leave a campsite. break cover To emerge from a protected location or hiding place: The platoon broke cover and headed down the road. break even To gain an amount equal to that invested, as in a commercial venture. break ground1. To begin a new construction project.2. To advance beyond previous achievements. break new ground To advance beyond previous achievements: broke new ground in the field of computers. break (one's) neck To make the utmost possible effort.break rank/ranks1. To fall into disorder, as a formation of soldiers.2. To fail to conform to a prevailing or expected pattern or order: "Architectural experts have criticized the plaza in the past because it breaks rank with the distinctive façades of neighboring Fifth Avenue blocks, whose buildings are flush with the sidewalk" (Sharon Churcher). break (someone's) heart To disappoint or dispirit someone severely. break the bank To require more money than is available. break the buck To fall below the value of one dollar. Used of the net asset value of a mutual fund, especially a money market fund. break the ice1. To make a start.2. To relax a tense or unduly formal atmosphere or social situation. break wind To expel intestinal gas. [Middle English breken, from Old English brecan; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots.]Synonyms: break, crack, fracture, burst, splinter, shatter, smash These verbs mean to become separated into parts or pieces, either by the sudden application of force or by the pressure of internal stress. Break is the most general: That delicate ornament will break easily. The bag held so many heavy things that it broke. To crack is to break without dividing into parts: The building's foundation cracked during the earthquake. Crack can also mean to break apart: "Burning branches crack from trees and fall in showers of sparks at my feet" (Suzanne Collins). Fracture applies to a break or crack in a rigid body: Heat and pressure caused the bedrock to fracture. Burst implies a sudden coming apart, especially from internal pressure: "Even when their bellies seemed about to burst, their mouths craved more and they drank on" (Ian McEwan). Splinter implies splitting into long, thin, sharp pieces: The boat's hull splintered when it hit the reef. To shatter is to break into many scattered pieces: The icicle shattered when it landed on the front steps. Smash stresses force of blow or impact and suggests complete destruction: I dropped the vase, and it smashed into pieces. All of these verbs can also be used transitively (that is, they can take a direct object) as in break the glass or fracture your arm. See Also Synonyms at opportunity.break the iceTo take the tension or reserve out of a meeting or social occasion among people who don’t know one another; from the idea of having to break the ice in a frozen river before being able to get a boat moving.Translationsbreak (breik) – past tense broke (brouk) : past participle brəken (ˈbroukən) – verb1. to divide into two or more parts (by force). (以外力)分成兩個或多個 破碎2. (usually with off/away) to separate (a part) from the whole (by force). 拆斷 拆断3. to make or become unusable. 損壞 损坏4. to go against, or not act according to (the law etc). He broke his appointment at the last minute. 違反 违反5. to do better than (a sporting etc record). 打破(紀錄) 打破(纪录) 6. to interrupt. She broke her journey in London. 中斷 中止7. to put an end to. He broke the silence. 結束 结束8. to make or become known. They gently broke the news of his death to his wife. 透露 透露9. (of a boy's voice) to fall in pitch. (男孩的聲音)變低沉 (指男孩嗓音)变粗,变粗浑 10. to soften the effect of (a fall, the force of the wind etc). 減弱 减弱11. to begin. The storm broke before they reached shelter. 開始 开始 noun1. a pause. a break in the conversation. 停頓 停顿2. a change. a break in the weather. 變化 变化3. an opening. 開始 开始4. a chance or piece of (good or bad) luck. This is your big break. 運氣 运气ˈbreakable adjective (negative unbreakable) likely to break. breakable toys. 易破碎的 易破碎的 noun (usually in plural) something likely to break. 易破碎的東西 易破碎的东西ˈbreakage (-kidʒ) noun the act of breaking, or its result(s). 破損 破损ˈbreaker noun a (large) wave which breaks on rocks or the beach. 衝擊岸邊的碎浪 碎浪ˈbreakdown noun1. (often nervous breakdown) a mental collapse. 精神崩潰 精神崩溃2. a mechanical failure causing a stop. The car has had another breakdown. See also break down. 故障 (机械)故障 break-inbreak in(to)ˈbreakneck adjective (usually of speed) dangerous. He drove at breakneck speed. 非常危險的 非常危险的breakoutbreak outˈbreakthrough noun a sudden solution of a problem leading to further advances, especially in science. 突破 突破ˈbreakwater noun a barrier to break the force of the waves. 防波堤 防波堤break away to escape from control. The dog broke away from its owner. 脫逃 脱逃break down1. to use force on (a door etc) to cause it to open. 打破 打破2. to stop working properly. My car has broken down. 壞掉 坏掉3. to fail. The talks have broken down. 失敗 失败4. to be overcome with emotion. She broke down and wept. 情緒潰堤 (精神上)垮掉,情绪溃堤 break in(to)1. to enter (a house etc) by force or unexpectedly (noun ˈbreak-in. The Smiths have had two break-ins recently). 破門而入 破门而入2. to interrupt (someone's conversation etc). 中斷 打断break loose to escape from control. The dog has broken loose. 掙脫出來 挣脱出来break off to stop. She broke off in the middle of a sentence. 突然停止 突然停止break out1. to appear or happen suddenly. War has broken out. 突然發生 突然发生2. to escape (from prison, restrictions etc). A prisoner has broken out (noun ˈbreakout). 逃出 逃出break out in to (suddenly) become covered in a rash, in sweat etc. I'm allergic to strawberries. They make me break out in a rash. 突然冒出 突然出现break the ice to overcome the first shyness etc. Let's break the ice by inviting our new neighbours for a meal. 克服初見面時的尷尬 打破沉默break up1. to divide, separate or break into pieces. He broke up the old furniture and burnt it; John and Mary broke up (= separated from each other) last week. 決裂 决裂2. to finish or end. The meeting broke up at 4.40. 停止,結束 停止,结束 make a break for it to make an (attempt to) escape. When the guard is not looking, make a break for it. 設法逃脫 设法逃脱break the ice
break the iceTo do something as a means of reducing or eliminating shyness, awkward tension, or unfamiliarity. I was so nervous about meeting Samantha's parents for the first time, but her dad immediately broke the ice by asking about my car, and everything went great after that. Everyone was deathly silent after John went ballistic and left the meeting. I tried breaking the ice with a joke, but it didn't help.See also: break, icebreak the ice 1. Fig. to attempt to become friends with someone. He tried to break the ice, but she was a little cold. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice. 2. Fig. to initiate social interchanges and conversation; to get something started. It's hard to break the ice at formal events. Sally broke the ice at the auction by bidding $20,000 for the painting.See also: break, icebreak the ice1. Make a start, pave the way, as in Newton's theories broke the ice for modern physics. This idiom alludes to breaking ice in a channel so that a ship can pass. [Early 1600s] Also see break ground. 2. Relax a tense or very formal situation, as in Someone at the conference table will have to break the ice. [Early 1600s] See also: break, icebreak the ice COMMON If a person, event or activity breaks the ice, they make people feel more relaxed and comfortable in a social situation. This exercise is usually good fun and can help break the ice for a new, and perhaps rather anxious, group. I started off by remarking that it seemed natural to be back in Madison Square Garden again. That broke the ice and from then on all went well. Note: An ice-breaker is something that you say or do to break the ice. This presentation was a good ice-breaker. A few laughs go a long way toward making a potential client comfortable. Note: An ice-breaking comment or action is one that breaks the ice. Graham's breakfast-time phone call to David was an ice-breaking exercise. Note: This refers to the need to break the ice around a ship before it is able to sail. See also: break, icebreak the ice do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation started at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time.See also: break, iceˌbreak the ˈice make a social situation more informal and relaxed, especially at the beginning of a meeting, party, etc: If you serve drinks as soon as they arrive it will help to break the ice. ▶ an ˈice-breaker noun: James told a very funny joke, which was a good ice-breaker.See also: break, icebreak the ice1. tv. to be the first one to do something. No one wants to break the ice. I guess I will be first. 2. tv. to attempt to become friends with someone. A nice smile does a lot to break the ice. See also: break, ice break the ice1. To make a start.2. To relax a tense or unduly formal atmosphere or social situation.See also: break, icebreak the ice, toTo prepare the way; to overcome initial stiffness or reserve in a social setting. The expression comes from clearing the ice from the sea so that ships could pass, and indeed the special vessels still used for this purpose are called “icebreakers.” By the sixteenth century, however, the term was used figuratively, as it is today, and was listed in Erasmus’s collection of adages (1508). Shakespeare and many others have used it, and there are similar phrases in numerous languages. See also: breakEncyclopediaSeebreak |