Example
“She told a quick joke to break the ice before the meeting began.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
drop someone a line
Neutral · CEFR B1
to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email
lend an ear
Neutral · CEFR B1
to listen to someone attentively and with sympathy
get one's message across
Neutral · CEFR B2
to make people understand what you mean or want to say
pop the question
Informal · CEFR B2
To propose marriage to someone.
sweet nothings
Neutral · CEFR B2
affectionate romantic words that flatter but say little of substance
cap in hand
Neutral · CEFR C1
in a humble or pleading manner when asking someone for help or a favor
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.