Buzz
Discover how the "ice in my veins" pose went from the NBA to TikTok.
Chances are, you've encountered the phrase "ice in my veins" in sports or on social media, but what does it actually mean? It signifies the ability to stay composed under intense pressure, and it gained traction after NBA star D’Angelo Russell popularized the "ice in my veins" gesture. In this article, we’ll explain the full meaning of the phrase, walk you through how to do the ice in my veins pose, and explore why it’s such a hit on TikTok. Ready to ace the slang? Let’s dive in!
Quick Overview of the “Ice in My Veins” Phrase
The phrase "ice in my veins" means remaining unshaken and calm in high-pressure moments, almost as if you were cold-blooded. It became famous through NBA player D’Angelo Russell, who uses it to celebrate clutch moments. To perform the pose, extend one arm downward and point at the veins on that arm.
How to Do the Pose
What does the phrase "ice in my veins" mean in basketball?
"Ice in my veins" refers to being "cold-blooded" or maintaining "composure under pressure." In the world of sports, this term is used for players who remain unfazed by the heat of the moment, particularly when the final seconds of a game are on the line. It's most commonly associated with basketball, thanks to Los Angeles Lakers star D’Angelo Russell, who began pointing to the veins in his forearms as a signature move back in 2016.
- Before Russell's influence, "ice in my veins" (or sometimes "ice water in my veins") was a lesser-known idiom in the English language.
The Iconic "Ice in My Veins" Gesture
To do the pose, extend one arm downward, then point at the veins on that arm. Keep your arm straight and relaxed, with your hand flat and palm facing outward. Use your opposite hand's index and middle fingers to point to the veins along your extended arm. For maximum effect, add a cool, confident touch—like a wink or a lip bite—to really emphasize your cold-blooded vibe.
- If you want to dap someone up like LeBron and D-Lo, start by slapping your friend's right hand with your own right hand, then slap the back of their hand with the back of yours. Next, wrap your thumb around the crook of their thumb, give a gentle squeeze, release, and finish with the ice in my veins pose.
The Origins and Rise of the "Ice in My Veins" Gesture
The "Ice in My Veins" Pose Was Born from D’Angelo Russell. On March 1, 2016, Los Angeles Lakers player D’Angelo Russell dropped 39 points against the New York Nets. After hitting a clutch three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the game, he celebrated by pointing at his forearm and shouting, “Ice in my veins” (watch it here).
- On November 22, 2016, Lakers’ Nick Young paid tribute to Russell by flashing the pose after hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The "Ice in My Veins" Pose Went Viral on TikTok in Early 2021. While it’s unclear who exactly kicked off the “ice in my veins” trend on TikTok, users began incorporating the gesture into various videos. On TikTok, instead of referencing the final seconds of a basketball game, the pose has evolved to symbolize truth-telling or authenticity. It’s often featured in “It Started with a Hey” challenge videos, where two people with contrasting personalities are compared.
- For those unfamiliar with its origin, the “ice in my veins” pose is also referred to as the “TikTok Arm Thing.”
- Some TikTokers humorously use the gesture to describe something as cold-blooded or ruthless.
"Ice in My Veins" Emoji
Use this emoji combo 🏀🥶😮💨 to represent "ice in your veins." While there isn’t an official “ice in my veins” emoji, you can capture the vibe by combining the 🏀 basketball emoji with the 🥶 cold face and 😮💨 face exhaling emojis.
More Popular Slang
"Beast mode" When you’re pushing yourself to the limit at the gym or crushing it in a sports game, you’re in "beast mode." This term was widely used by sports commentators, especially to describe former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.
- "Time to go beast mode 🏋️🏋️🏋️"
- "I was in beast mode at the gym—5 sets of 20 reps!"
- "Davante Adams is in full beast mode tonight 🏈⚡"
"Going ham" If you’re "going ham," you’re putting in a seriously intense or aggressive effort. This phrase is commonly used in the gaming and sports worlds, as well as in casual conversation to describe something you’re going all out for.
- "I just ordered a chocolate milkshake and I’m about to go ham on it 🤤"
- "She went HAM on that final play. Now I get why they say she’s the best!"
- "I’m going to go ham at the gym tonight. I ate way too much food over the holidays."
"Locked in" When someone is "locked in," they’re completely focused and dedicated to what they’re doing. They’re determined to achieve their goal, and nothing will distract them from their mission.
- "I was locked in at the gym today, headphones on and everything."
- "Duke is locked in tonight, hitting his 6th three-pointer of the game 💫"
- "Stephen Nedoroscik was totally locked in on the pommel horse. He nailed his routine!"
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Sometimes, "ice in my veins" is used as a reference to drug use. "Ice" is a slang term for crystal meth, which often appears in crystal form resembling ice.
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If you feel like you have ice running through your veins, it might be a sign of Raynaud’s disease, a condition that causes parts of your body to become numb and cold in response to stress or low temperatures.
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Content creator Aaron Makelky suggests that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, don’t commonly use the phrase "Ice in My Veins." If they do, a Gen Zer may label the speaker as being "Unc Status," meaning they’re outdated or old-fashioned.
