Skating Idioms: Popular Phrases and Their Meanings

Skating idioms add a creative twist to everyday language, drawing inspiration from the world of skating to describe various situations in life. These phrases are full of energy and movement, making them a unique way to express ideas. Dive in to uncover their meanings and enhance your vocabulary with these dynamic expressions!

What is skating?

Skating is the act of gliding over ground on wheeled boots or on ice with bladed boots. Competitive skating is called figure skating and can be performed individually or as a group.

 

Ice hockey and roller hockey are also played on skates.​

Skating Idioms List

Discover a collection of skating-inspired idioms that bring movement and energy to everyday language.

sports idioms and sayings - skating idioms and phrases

as cold as ice

meaning – unfriendly or very cold
example – Your hands are as cold as ice, put your gloves on.

Two children with a football observe a crime scene guarded by two serious-looking police officers; one child comments, "Those coppers are as cold as ice."

break the ice

meaning – do something to reduce tension/awkwardness
example – Ronnie tried to break the ice with a joke but ended up offending everyone.

A group of office workers are nervously stood be fore a host. She says 'Let’s kick off our team-building day by breaking the ice with some fun games!'

cheapskate

meaning – a person who doesn’t like spending money
example – Jack is a cheapskate; he only ever buys reduced food.

Cartoon showing two people near 'Missing' posters with 'No Reward,' and one says, 'Don't be a cheapskate, offer a reward.' Definition and example of 'cheapskate' included at the bottom.

get one’s skates on

meaning – hurry up, be quick, stop procrastinating
example – Tell your brother to get his skates on. If he’s late again, he’ll be punished.

A cartoon scene in a kitchen shows one person standing and grabbing a smartphone from another seated at a table. The standing person says, "Give me that! Get your skates on and start revising. The exam is tomorrow." At the bottom, the phrase "get one’s skates on" is defined as "hurry up, be quick, stop procrastinating," with an example sentence: "Tell your brother to get his skates on. If he’s late again, he’ll be punished.

put something on ice

meaning – delay/postpone
example – I’ve put my house move on ice. I need to save more money so I can buy my dream home.

A cartoon scene shows two people sitting at a table in a kitchen, enjoying a meal of burgers, chips, eggs, and peas. One of them says, "We'll put the diet on ice until Monday." Below the scene, the idiom "put something on ice" is defined as "delay or postpone," with an example: "I’ve put my house move on ice. I need to save more money so I can buy my dream home.

skate on thin ice

meaning – in a risky situation
example – You had your license taken away yet you’re still driving? You’re skating on thin ice.

A football referee showing a yellow card while saying, "You're skating on thin ice. Next time, you're off." The scene includes football players reacting to the decision, with one player lying on the ground holding their leg in apparent pain.

You can download a table of skating idioms and sayings below.

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If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more sports idioms by clicking on the links below.

Shooting / Archery
Swimming