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 and sayings

Many idioms originated from skating and here is a list of them with examples.

  • as cold as ice
    meaning – unfriendly or very cold
    example – Your hands are as cold as ice, put your gloves on.
  • 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.
  • cheapskate
    meaning – a person who doesn’t like spending money
    example – Jack is a cheapskate; he only ever buys reduced food.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • sell ice to the Eskimos
    meaning – someone who is very persuasive
    example – Paul managed to get them to buy an extra 100 units. He could sell ice to the Eskimos.
  • 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.

skating idioms and sayings with pictures

sports idioms and sayings - skating idioms and phrases
skating idioms and sayings - as cold as ice meaning
skating phrases - break the ice
skating idioms and sayings - cheapskate meaning
skating idioms and sayings - get one’s skates on meaning
skating idioms and sayings - put something on ice meaning
skating idioms and sayings - sell ice to the Eskimos meaning
skating sayings - skate on thin ice

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

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