cut no ice, to
cut no ice, to - To have no influence, to make no impression. An Americanism dating from the late nineteenth century, it may come from skating, that is, the image of a poor skater who cannot cut figures in the ice. Or it may come from an icebreaker that cannot break up ice floes as it should. Still another source suggests it comes from the prerefrigeration practice of cutting ice from ponds in winter and storing it for use in summer.
Similar Expressions:
- Fall on deaf ears – To ignore or disregard a message.
- Go in one ear and out the other – To not be remembered or taken notice of.
- Like talking to a brick wall – Receiving no response or reaction.
- Bounce off like a rubber ball – Having no effect or leaving no impression.
Antonyms:
- Make waves - To cause a strong reaction.
- Strike a chord – To induce a significant emotional response.
- Leave an impression – To be memorable or influential.
- Hit home – To have a significant impact.
Wit and Wisdom:
- Quote: “Trying to impress her with my paper clip collection, unsurprisingly, cut no ice.” - Anonymous
- Proverb: “He who thinks too much of his virtue, has no virtue at all.” - Chinese Proverb (Implying self-importance does not cut ice with others.)
📚 Suggested Literature:
- “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig – Featuring thoughtful insights on making a genuine impact.
- “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie – Techniques to ensure you always cut some ice.
🎶 Suggested Songs:
- “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice – Enjoy the (failing) ambition to cut ice.
- “Let It Go” from Frozen – Sometimes it’s essential to know when something cuts no ice.
🎥 Recommended Movies:
- “Die Hard 2” - Features scenes of ‘cutting no ice’ actions under freezing conditions.
- “Groundhog Day” - An exploration of actions rapidly cutting varying degrees of ice.
Farewell Thought:
In a world that often demands influence at every turn, remember Miriam Beard’s words: “The results of philanthropy are always beyond calculation.”
Until we meet again, strive to leave a warm impression in this icy universe. ❄️✨
### Which of these does NOT mean ‘having no influence’?
- [ ] Fall on deaf ears
- [x] Hit the ground running
- [ ] Go in one ear and out the other
- [ ] Like talking to a brick wall
> **Explanation:** “Hit the ground running” means beginning something energetically and efficiently, full of influence. The others indicate having no effect or impact.
### Choose the phrase that means ‘making an impression’:
- [x] Strike a chord
- [ ] Bounce off like a rubber ball
- [ ] Raining on parade
- [ ] Cutting the mustard
> **Explanation:** “Strike a chord” means to resonate emotionally or make an impression, while the others depict ineffectual or disruptive scenarios.
### True or False: ‘Like talking to a brick wall’ means you make no impression.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! Conversations with someone who gives no response or consideration is like talking to a brick wall – metaphorically, ‘cutting no ice’.
### Identify the synonym for ‘cut no ice’:
- [ ] Rock the boat
- [ ] Raise eyebrows
- [x] Fall flat
- [ ] Move mountains
> **Explanation:** “Fall flat” is equivalent to cutting no ice, meaning having no effect or success. Other options indicate causing a stir or significant action.
