English Explanatory Dictionary

on ice

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. Not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended; on hold.
  2. Dead, especially from murder or other nefarious means.
  3. Of an entertainment normally performed on a stage: performed by ice skaters as an ice show.
  4. Of a sporting or other contest: in a state of assured victory for the leading contestant.
  5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on, ice.

Pronunciation

/ɒn ˈaɪs/ /ɑn ˈaɪs/ en-au-on ice.ogg

Word forms

on ice

Etymology

The first sense (“not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended”) probably refers to the practice of putting food on ice to preserve it.

Synonyms

in the bag

Translations

Czech: u ledu (with "být") Finnish: jäissä Finnish: jäihin
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