| Main Entry: |
break the ice
|
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prepare the way |
| Synonyms: | be friendly and talkative, break ground, cut the first turf, get one's feet wet, lay the first stone, lead off, lead the way, make a start, oil the works, open the way, pave the way, set at ease, smooth the path, socialize, start, start the ball rolling, take the plunge |
| Main Entry: | risk |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | take a chance |
| Synonyms: | adventure, be caught short, beard, brave, chance, compromise, confront, dare, defy, defy danger, encounter, endanger, expose to danger, face, gamble, go out of one's depth, hang by a thread, hazard, imperil, jeopardize, jeopardy, leap before looking, leave to luck, meet, menace, peril, play with fire, plunge, put in jeopardy, run the chance, run the risk, skate on thin ice, speculate, tackle, take a flyer, take a header, take a plunge, take on*, take the liberty, venture, wager |
| Antonyms: | be certain |
| Main Entry: | start |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | begin; come into existence |
| Synonyms: | activate, appear, arise, arouse, come into being, commence, create, depart, embark, engender, enter upon, establish, found, get going, get under way, go ahead, hit the road, inaugurate, incite, initiate, instigate, institute, introduce, issue, launch, lay foundation, leave, light, make a beginning, open, originate, pioneer, rise, rouse, sally forth, see light, set in motion, set out, set up, spring, take first step, take the plunge, turn on |
| Antonyms: | complete, conclude, die, end, finish, stop |
| Main Entry: | undertake |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | attempt, engage in |
| Synonyms: | address oneself, agree, answer for, bargain, begin, commence, commit, commit oneself, contract, covenant, devote, embark, endeavor, enter upon, fall into, go about, go for, go in for, go into, guarantee, have a hand in, have a try, hazard, initiate, launch, make a run at, move, offer, pitch in, pledge, promise, set about, set in motion, set out, shoulder, stake, stipulate, tackle, take on, take the plunge, take upon oneself, try, try out, venture, volunteer |
| Antonyms: | abstain, forego, forget |
| Main Entry: | venture |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | take a chance |
| Synonyms: | advance, assay, attempt, bet, brave, challenge, chance, dare, dare say, defy, endanger, essay, experiment, expose, feel, front*, gamble, get down, go out on a limb, grope, have a fling at, hazard, imperil, jeopardize, lay open, make a stab at, make bold, operate, play for, play the market, presume, put in jeopardy, put up, risk, speculate, stake, stick one's neck out, take a crack at, take a flyer, take a plunge, try, try out, volunteer, wager |
| Main Entry: | volunteer |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | offer to do something |
| Synonyms: | advance, bring forward, chip in, come forward, do on one's own volition, enlist, go in, let oneself in for, offer services, present, proffer, propose, put at one's disposal, put forward, sign up, speak up, stand up, step forward, submit oneself, suggest, take bull by the horns, take initiative, take the plunge, take upon oneself, tender |
| Antonyms: | compel, force, obligate |
| Main Entry: | cross the Rubicon |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | take a decisive step |
| Synonyms: | bite the bullet, choose one's fate, jump in with both feet, leap into the breach, leave a crossroads, make one's move, pass the Rubicon, prendre la balle au bond, take for better or worse, take the bull by the horns, take the plunge |