ice
1. noun, slang Diamonds. The pop star came out on stage covered from head to foot in ice. It must have been the most expensive outfit ever made. I bet she keeps her ice in the safe.
2. noun, slang Concentrated methamphetamine in crystalline form. I heard he got caught with two kilos of ice in the trunk of his car. He’s going away for a long, long time. This part of town is overrun with dealers slinging ice on the corners.
3. noun, dated slang A bribe. There has always been a problem in this town with cops accepting ice from gangsters in order to look the other way when something illegal happens.
4. noun, dated slang An amount of money paid to a theater manager in order to secure tickets to a performance or event. He said he would throw some ice at the box office manager to make sure we had good seats.
5. verb, slang To murder (someone). The gang iced him for trying to make off with their money.
6. verb, slang To clinch or ensure the victory of (some sporting event). The last minute touchdown iced the game for the New York Giants.
7. verb, slang To close, finalize, or ensure the success of (some deal, endeavor, agreement, etc.). The president said he is eager to ice the trade agreement with the European Union.
8. verb, slang To postpone, delay, or suspend (something). We’ve had to ice our plans for the expansion until this investigation is concluded. The government indicated that they are icing any and all imports from foreign countries due to the quarantine.
ice down
1. To apply ice to a particular body part or area, as after an injury or strenuous exercise. A noun or pronoun can be used between «ice» and «down.» I need to ice down my ankle after that fall. The pitcher is icing his arm down after the big game.
2. To apply ice to something in order to keep its temperature low. A noun or pronoun can be used between «ice» and «down.» They’re icing down the organ for transport. Ice these drinks down, will you? No one wants warm beer.
ice out
1. To treat someone with a lack of affection or warmth. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between «ice» and «out.» I don’t understand why Nelle is icing me out like this—what did I ever do to her?
2. slang To embellish something with diamonds. Did you see that rock he got her? Her finger is totally iced out now!
ice over
1. To become covered in or coated with ice. We should put down some salt and gravel so the steps don’t ice over during the night. The lake doesn’t usually start icing over until November or December.
2. To cause something to become covered in or coated with ice. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between «ice» and «over.» The frigid temperature iced the steps over during the night.
ice the kicker
In American football, to call a time out just before the opposing team’s kicker attempts a field goal, with the intent of negatively affecting the kicker’s focus or confidence (i.e. «icing them» or «getting in their head»). Almost exclusively done at the end of the game when the field goal could win or tie the game. Even though they tried to ice the kicker, he still hit the 63-yard field goal attempt.
ice the puck
In ice hockey, to commit an icing, a minor infraction that occurs when the puck is advanced from behind one’s own team’s red line to beyond the other team’s goal line without being touched by the other team. Come on, man, how could you ice the puck at a crucial time in the game like this?
ice up
1. To become covered in or coated with ice. If the temperature drops any more, the steps will definitely ice up overnight.
2. To cause something to become covered in or coated with ice. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between «ice» and «up.» The frigid temperature iced the steps up overnight.
icing the kicker
In American football, the tactic of calling a time out just before the opposing team’s kicker attempts a field goal, with the intent of negatively affecting the kicker’s focus or confidence (i.e. «icing them» or «getting in their head»). Almost exclusively done at the end of the game when the field goal could win or tie the game. Hey, before you go out for your field goal, don’t forget that their coach is known for icing the kicker.
the frosting on the cake
Something desirable that makes an already good situation even better. I was so proud of my daughter for finishing her master’s degree, but finding out she finished at the top of her class was the frosting on the cake!
the icing on the cake
An additional benefit or positive aspect to something that is already considered positive or beneficial. Having all of you here for my birthday has really been wonderful. This gift is icing on the cake. Sarah really wanted that job, so she said the signing bonus was really just icing on the cake.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
ice over
[for water] to freeze and develop a covering of ice. I can’t wait for the river to ice over so we can do some ice fishing.
ice something down
to cool something with ice. They are icing the champagne down now. They are icing down the champagne now.
ice something up
to cause something to become icy. I hope the cold doesn’t ice the roads up. The wind and rain iced up the roads.
ice up
to become icy. Are the roads icing up?
icing on the cake
Fig. an extra enhancement. Oh, wow! A tank full of gas in my new car. That’s icing on the cake! Your coming home for a few days was the icing on the cake.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
icing on the cake
Also, frosting on the cake. An additional benefit to something already good. For example, All these letters of congratulation are icing on the cake, or After that beautiful sunrise, the rainbow is just frosting on the cake. This metaphoric expression alludes to the sweet creamy coating used to enhance a cake. [Mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
the icing on the cake
BRITISH, AMERICAN or
the frosting on the cake
AMERICAN
COMMON
1. If you describe something as the icing on the cake, you mean that it is an extra good thing that makes a good situation or activity even better. To ride for one’s country is the ultimate experience. To be in a winning team is the icing on the cake. If it works out that he or she becomes a friend after you have enjoyed a good professional relationship, that is frosting on the cake.
2. You can use the icing on the cake to refer to something which is only a minor part of the main thing you are talking about. Consumer electronics in Japan is now a 35 billion dollars a year business. This is just the icing on the cake. Japanese electronics companies are now generating an annual 200 billion dollars of sales. Finance Minister Vaclav Klaus has dismissed environmental issues as the frosting on the cake.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
the icing on the cake
an attractive but inessential addition or enhancement.
A North American variant of this phrase is the frosting on the cake .
1996 Independent State education is no longer always free. The jumble sale and the summer fair, which used to provide the icing on the school cake, are now providing the staple fare.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the icing on the ˈcake
something attractive, but not necessary, which is added to something already very good: The meal was perfect, the wonderful view from the restaurant the icing on the cake.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ice down
v.
1. To cool something or keep something cold with ice: I iced down a bottle of champagne. Ice the fish down until it’s time to cook it.
2. To soothe something, especially a sore or injured muscle, by applying ice: The coach iced down the player’s injury. Ice your sore muscles down; you’ll feel better.
ice out
v. Slang
To cover or decorate something with diamonds: The medallion was completely iced out. The performers went to the jewelry store and iced out their wrists.
ice up
v.
1. To become covered with ice: The road has iced up, so be careful.
2. To cause something to become covered with ice: The storm has iced up the bridges. The cold weather iced the pond up, so we decided to go skating.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ice
1. n. diamonds; jewels. (Underworld.) That old dame has tons of ice in her hotel room.
2. n. cocaine; crystalline cocaine. (Drugs.) Max deals mostly in ice but can get you almost anything.
3. tv. to kill someone; to kill an informer. (see also chill.) Mr. Big ordered Sam to ice you-know-who.
4. tv. to ignore someone. (see also chill.) Bart iced Sam for obvious reasons.
5. tv. to embarrass someone; to make someone look foolish. Don’t ice me in front of my friends.
6. n. money given as a bribe, especially to the police. (Underworld.) A lot of those cops take ice.
7. mod. excellent; very cool. Her answer was ice, and she really put down that guy.
icing on the cake
n. an extra enhancement. Oh, wow! A tank full of gas in my new car. That’s icing on the cake!
McGraw-Hill’s Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
icing on the cake
An additional benefit to something already good.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
frosting/icing on the cake, the
An extra advantage or additional benefit. This term refers to the sweet creamy topping of a cake and has been transferred since the mid-1900s. A book review in The Listener used it: “All this theology is icing on the cake” (April 3, 1969; cited by the OED).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
- jack
- jacking
- juice
- juiced
- garbage
- edge
- edged
- edging
- belt
- belting
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- Home
- Idioms
- icing
ice the puck
In ice hockey, to commit an icing, a minor infraction that occurs when the puck is advanced from behind one’s own team’s red line to beyond the other team’s goal line without being touched by the other team. Come on, man, how could you ice the puck at a crucial time in the game like this?
icing on the cake
Fig. an extra enhancement. Oh, wow! A tank full of gas in my new car. That’s icing on the cake! Your coming home for a few days was the icing on the cake.
icing on the cake
something good that is added to another good thing He was delighted to have his story published – getting paid for it was just icing on the cake.
the icing on the cake
(British, American & Australian) also the frosting on the cake (American)
something which makes a good situation even better I was just content to see my daughter in such a stable relationship but a grandchild, that was really the icing on the cake.
icing on the cake
Also, frosting on the cake. An additional benefit to something already good. For example, All these letters of congratulation are icing on the cake, or After that beautiful sunrise, the rainbow is just frosting on the cake. This metaphoric expression alludes to the sweet creamy coating used to enhance a cake. [Mid-1900s]
icing on the cake
n. an extra enhancement. Oh, wow! A tank full of gas in my new car. That’s icing on the cake!
icing on the cake
An additional benefit to something already good.
Common Names:
by Liz Walter
Differences between US and UK English are particularly pronounced in informal and idiomatic language. There are lots of idioms that are used in one variety but not the other, for example go pear-shaped (to fail or go wrong) is used in British but not American English and strike pay dirt (discover something valuable) is American but not British.
However, there is also a potentially more confusing set of idioms, where the British and American versions are very similar but have important differences, so that using the wrong version could sound very odd. This post looks at some of these.
Some, such as the idiom in the title of this post, come about because of general UK/US vocabulary differences. The icing (UK)/ frosting (US) on the cake, is something that makes a good situation even better. Similar differences account for the idioms a skeleton in the cupboard (UK)/closet (US & UK), which means an embarrassing secret and throw a spanner (UK)/ (monkey) wrench (US) in the works, meaning to do something to prevent something succeeding:
It was a great trip, and seeing the gorillas was the icing/frosting on the cake.
Before he’s appointed, we need to make sure there are no skeletons in his cupboard/closet.
We were ready to open the restaurant before Covid threw a spanner/wrench in the works.
Some idioms start from very similar ideas but are phrased slightly differently in the two varieties. For instance, while Brits might refer slightly mockingly to a man or boy who is liked very much as a blue-eyed boy, Americans would call him a fair-haired boy, and while someone who looks very pleased with themself looks like the cat that got the cream in British English, they are like the cat that ate the canary in American English.
As far as Mum was concerned, Alex was her blue-eyed/fair-haired boy and could do no wrong.
She came rushing in, looking like the cat that got the cream/ate the canary.
Similarly, when Brits wouldn’t touch something with a bargepole (wouldn’t go near it or become involved in it), Americans wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole, and while a big fuss about a small problem is a storm in a teacup for Brits, it is a tempest in a teapot for Americans. When Brits spend so much time thinking about small details that they miss something very important, they can’t see the wood for the trees, while Americans use forest in that phrase:
The deal is far too risky. I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole/ten-foot pole.
I’m hoping that our current financial problems are just a storm in a teacup/tempest in a teapot.
I was so busy concentrating on minor design faults, I couldn’t see the wood/forest for the trees.
There are of course many more common idioms with UK/US differences, but I hope this post has drawn your attention to the issue.
First, before we look at the meaning of this idiom, what is icing?
Icing = a sugary substance used as coating on cakes or cookies (biscuits) to make them look better or to enhance its flavour.
The meaning of Icing on the cake
Simple definition: Something that makes a good situation even better or a bad situation even worse.
The icing on the cake has two meanings and they strangely happen to be opposites.
This idiom can be used in a positive sense and a negative sense.
Positive meaning = an additional good thing happens to something that is already good or positive making that situation even better.
Negative meaning = an additional bad thing is added to another bad thing that has already happened making the situation worse. In this case the idiom is used in a sarcastic (or ironic) way.
Example Sentences using Icing on the cake
- Not only was I offered a higher salary, but the additional bonus I got was the icing on the cake.
- The athlete received a gold medal and the icing on the cake was that he also received a sponsorship deal.
- I got fired from my job, but the icing on the cake was when it started to rain while I was walking home.
The frosting on the cake
Another version of this idiom is “the frosting on the cake” which is used more in American English.
Summary Chart
Has anything recently happened to you that was the icing on the cake?
For people who live in hot climates, ice is a luxury, but for those who have to cope with much colder weather, it can be dangerous. As we shiver through the chilly season, let’s check out some idioms and phrases to do with ice
Icebergs are floating mountains of ice. They are dangerous to humans because it’s hard to tell how big they are. This is because only the tip of the iceberg can be seen above the surface of the water. This can lead to ships crashing into icebergs and sinking.
So when you want to tell someone that the problem is far worse than they think, you say that it’s the tip of the iceberg.
Use: “We already have a few hundred confirmed cases of measles, but doctors think it is just the tip of the iceberg.”
23 time idioms to make your writing more interesting
2 Skating / Walking on thin ice
While we might skate at the rink in a shopping mall, people who live in cold places can skate on frozen ponds or rivers. They might also have to walk across them.
It’s best to do all these things on thick ice. The last thing you want is for the ice to break so that you fall into the freezing water. So, to skate on thin ice means to do something dangerous.
Use: “It might be fine to act the fool when the teacher is not around, but you’ll be skating on thin ice if you try it while the prefects are watching.”
3 Ice in your veins
Someone who is “hot-blooded” is usually very emotional and anxious. Someone who is cold-blooded is exactly the opposite. So, someone who has ice in their veins is calm and controlled even when they are under a lot of pressure.
Use: “I admire those bomb disposal experts. They need to have ice in their veins to do what they do.”
4 Break the ice
Start a conversation or other sort of interaction between strangers.
Use: “If you need to break the ice on the first day of a camp, organise some games where people have to talk to each other.”
5 Put (something) on ice
Stop or postpone an idea or project.
Use: “While we were all keen for the new school hall to open as soon as possible, plans had to be put on ice while we dealt with the leak in the cloakroom.”
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6 Ice queen
A girl who is not very friendly.
Use: “At first we thought Julie was such an ice queen, but once you get to know her, you realise she’s really funny and friendly.”
7 Sell ice to Eskimos
To be able to sell anything to anyone, even though they don’t need it. Eskimo is a catch-all phrase used to describe people who live near the North Pole, though it is now thought to be rude.
Use: “By the end of the fair we still had a lot of orchids left which no one seemed to want. Then Justin arrived and managed to sell most of the flowers. He could even sell ice to Eskimos.”
8 Cuts no ice
Makes no difference. It can be used to warn someone not to break the rules.
Use: “The fact that you’re the principal’s daughter cuts no ice with me. You’ll still be given detention.”
9 The icing on the cake
Something extra that makes a good thing even better.
Use: “I was just glad to be invited to the party, but I heard Lynne is also going, and that is just the icing on the cake.”
10 Ice down
Put ice on an injured part of the body to stop it from swelling.
Use: “I hurt my knee playing football but Mum iced it down and now it’s a lot better.”
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В английском языке нередко бывает, что идиомы с похожим значением отличаются друг от друга в зависимости от страны, где их употребляют. Мы привели примеры таких идиом и рассмотрели контекст, в котором они могут использоваться.
Дословный перевод идиомы не всегда помогает понять ее значение. Используя фразеологизм, важно понимать его подтекст и употреблять в подходящем контексте. В статье рассмотрели самые употребляемые идиомы в английском языке, а также различия между ними в двух вариантах английского — британском и американском.
Слова icing и frosting переводятся как «сахарная глазурь» и ассоциируются с чем-то ярким, вкусным и сладким. Эти идиомы означают «нечто незначительное, что делает приятную ситуацию или опыт еще лучше», дословно их можно перевести как «глазурь сверху на торте».
My Birthday party was great, but the invited band was definitely the icing on the cake! — Моя вечеринка по случаю дня рождения была великолепна, но изюминкой стала приглашенная музыкальная группа.
«Скелетом в шкафу» называют неприятный или постыдный секрет о том, что случилось в прошлом. Слово a skeleton может употребляться как в единственном, так и во множественном числе. Отметим, что в слове cupboard звук /p/ не произносится.
Everyone has some skeletons in the cupboard. — У всех есть скелеты в шкафу.
Идиомы означают «сделать то, что замедлит или усложнит процесс» и синонимичны русской идиоме «вставлять палки в колеса». Вместо палки, носители английского предпочитают использовать гаечный ключ, который в британском варианте английского звучит как a spanner, а в американском — a monkey wrench или просто a wrench.
Your rude remark about your boss’s marriage has thrown a spanner in the works; now it’ll be hard to get a promotion. — Своим грубым замечанием о браке твоего начальника ты вставил себе палки в колеса. Теперь нелегко будет получить повышение.
Можете себе представить кота, который украл сливки, съел их втихаря и теперь довольно облизывается на окошке? Эта идиома как раз о людях, которые, получив или добившись чего-то, выглядят самодовольными. В американском варианте идиомы вместо ate можно употреблять got (словил) или swallowed (проглотил).
After passing his driving test, Michael looked like the cat that got the cream. — После сдачи теста по вождению Майкл выглядел довольным собой.
Идиомы означают «излишнее проявление злости или волнения в малозначимой ситуации». Обратите внимание, британцы говорят о шторме в стакане (a teacup), тогда как у американцев буря разгулялась в чайнике для заваривания (a teapot).
I consider this family row to be but a storm in a teacup. — Я считаю эту семейную ссору ничем иным, как бурей в стакане.
Значение идиом — «упускать что-то важное, концентрируясь на малозначимых деталях».
Your problem is that you often can’t see the wood for the trees. — Твоя проблема в том, что ты часто концентрируешься на мелочах, упуская самое важное.
Если вы хотите посоветовать собеседнику не принимать на веру все, что ему говорят, используйте to take smth with a grain of salt в Великобритании или to take smth with a pinch of salt, если отправитесь в Америку.
If I were you, I would take everything your mom says with a pinch of salt. — На твоем месте я бы не принимал все, что говорит твоя мама, за чистую монету.
Обе идиомы выражают неодобрение и употребляются относительно человека, который слишком хвастается своими успехами. A trumpet в британском варианте значит «труба» (музыкальный инструмент), а слово a horn в американской идиоме — «гудок в автомобиле».
Stop blowing your own trumpet! Everyone did well! — Перестань расхваливать себя! Все хорошо себя проявили!
Эти идиомы используются относительно человека, который пытается скрыть от других что-либо плохое, незаконное или постыдное, их дословный перевод — «замести что-либо под ковер».
Politicians often try to sweep their misdeeds under the carpet. — Политики часто пытаются замолчать свои плохие поступки.
Если вы хотите свободно общаться с иностранцами, практикуйтесь вести беседу на уроках английском с одним из наших преподавателей.
Такие идиомы используются в ситуациях, когда кто-либо боится спугнуть удачу. Если вы из тех, кто верит в суеверия, смело используйте ее в общении с англоязычным собеседником.
We haven’t had a row in a whole month. Touch wood! — Мы не ссорились уже целый месяц. Тьфу-тьфу-тьфу…
Эта пара идиом означает «тратить время на что-либо бессмысленное или невозможное». Дословный перевод звучит как «стегать дохлую лошадь».
I’ve got tired of flogging a dead horse. Our relationship is hopeless. — Я устал стараться понапрасну. Наши отношения безнадежны.
Обе идиомы используется, чтобы сказать, что в ситуации есть как преимущества, так и недостатки, а в отношениях между людьми — как хорошее, так и плохое.
Swings and roundabouts in life are inevitable. — В жизни неизбежны взлеты и падения.
Эти идиомы используются, когда речь идет о чем-то, чего слишком мало. В британском варианте употребляют существительное the ocean (океан), американцы говорят the bucket (ведро).
One thousand dollars won’t make a difference. It’s just a drop in the ocean. — Тысяча долларов ничего не решает. Это лишь капля в море.
Эта пара идиом означает «говорить то, что думаешь, не пытаясь скрыть свое мнение, даже если это кого-то обижает».
Let’s call a spade a spade! She’s a witch! — Давайте начистоту. Она старая ведьма!
Фраза itchy feet означает «чешущиеся стопы» и употребляется, чтобы сказать, что вы соскучились за путешествиями. В американском же варианте идиомы выражение new pastures — это «новые пастбища». Ее лучше использовать, говоря о желании сменить место работы, жительства или просто получить новый опыт.
After almost two years of the pandemic, I’ve really got itchy feet. — После почти двух лет пандемии я действительно испытываю тягу к путешествиям.
Закрепите разницу между британскими и американскими идиомами с помощью теста.