【明報專訊】"We have a new neighbour," Malka said, "and he's either awfully clumsy or he doesn't know how to go about breaking the ice!" In a social situation, break the ice describes doing something friendly or helpful to appear pleasant, to ease tension (緊張), or to overcome shyness (害羞). "That's true - but it doesn't include breaking down someone's house to get acquainted!" Malka exclaimed. "I'm shy," Betsy said. "I find it so hard to break the ice at a party to talk to people I've never met."