break the ice
To conquer the first difficulties in starting a conversation, getting a party going, or making an acquaintance.
Преодолеть чувство неловкости в начале беседы; начать общение.
To break the ice Ted spoke of his interest in mountain climbing, and they soon had a conversation going.
Some people use an unusual thing, such as an unusual piece of jewelry, to break the ice.
To break the ice Ted spoke of his interest in mountain climbing, and they soon had a conversation going.
В качестве первого шага к знакомству Тед рассказал о своем увлечении альпинизмом, и так они вскоре разговорились.
To be the first person or team to score in a game.
The Wolves broke the ice with a touchdown.
burn one's house to get rid of the mice
Дословно: сжечь дом, чтобы избавиться от мышей. Потратить много средств для достижения малой цели, обычно по глупости.
He got into troubles. He could burn his house to get rid of the mice.
Он попал в неприятности. Он мог пожертвовать многим, чтобы избавиться от незначительной неприятности.
burnt child dreads the fire
once bitten, twice shy
A person who has suffered from doing something has learned to avoid doing it again. A proverb.
Once Mary had got lost when her mother took her downtown. But a burnt child dreads the fire, so now Mary stays close to her mother when they are downtown.
by choice
As a result of choosing because of wanting to; freely.
John helped his father by choice.
Mary ate a plum, but not by choice. Her mother told her she must eat it.
curb service
Waiting on customers while they sit in their cars.
Families with small children often look for hamburger stands that offer curb service.
cut ice
To make a difference; make an impression; be accepted as important. Usually used in negative, interrogative, or conditional sentences.
When Frank had found a movie he liked, what others said cut no ice with him.
Jones is democratic; a man's money or importance never cuts any ice with him.
Does comfort cut any ice with you?
I don't know if beauty in a woman cuts any ice with him.
cut no ice
To have no effect; achieve no result; be insignificant.
The fact that the accused is a millionaire will cut no ice with this particular judge.
do justice to
To do (something) as well as you should; do properly.
Barbara had so many things to do that she could not do justice to her lessons.
The newspaper man did not do justice to the story.
To eat or drink with enthusiasm or enjoyment.
The boy did justice to the meal.