on ice

on ice idiom
  1. In reserve or readiness. This idiom often occurs with put, meaning “to place in reserve,” as in Let's put that proposal on ice until we have the funds to implement it. This usage alludes to putting things in cold storage for preservation. [Slang; late 1800s]
  2. In prison, as in He's been on ice for ten years. This usage may be derived in part from the slang term cooler for “jail.” [Slang; c. 1930]
  3. With a good chance of success, as in I'm sure she'll win—it's on ice. [Slang; early 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.

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