break the ice

To do something as a means of reducing or eliminating shyness, awkward tension, or unfamiliarity.

通过做某事来减少或消除羞涩、尴尬紧张或不熟悉。

Let me break the ice and buy everyone a drink.

让我打破沉默，请大家喝一杯吧。

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.

我第一次见到萨曼塔的父母时很紧张，但是她爸爸马上就打破了僵局，问起我的车。

I tried breaking the ice with a joke, but it didn't help.

我尝试用讲个笑话来打破僵局，但没有用。