to start a friendly conversation in an awkward situation
気まずい状況で友好的な会話を始める (kimazui joukyou de yuukou-teki na kaiwa wo hajimeru)
"To break the ice, I told a joke."
"アイスを壊すために、ジョークを言いました。" (**Aisu wo kowasu** tame ni, jo-ku wo iimashita)
to make a bad situation even worse
to understand or solve the real cause of something
to think creatively and differently
someone who is strong and not easily upset
to stay calm under stress or provocation
completely exhausted or tired due to overwork
