What “Ice in My Veins” Means & Why It's So Popular

What does “ice in my veins” mean in basketball?

“Ice in my veins” means you're “cold-blooded” or “calm under pressure.” In the sports world, “ice in my veins” is used to describe skillful players who don’t fold under pressure, especially during the last few minutes of a match that could make or break the game. It’s often associated with basketball, thanks to Los Angeles Lakers player D’Angelo Russell, who began pointing to the veins in his forearms as a celebratory pose back in 2016. The expression “ice in my veins” (or sometimes “ice water in my veins”) was a little-known English idiom until it was popularized by Russell.

The “Ice in My Veins” Pose

Extend one arm downward, then point at the veins on your extended arm. Keep your extended arm straight and relaxed, and position your hand so it’s flat and your palm is facing outward. With the opposite hand, use your index and middle fingers to gesture toward the veins on the inside of your arm. Throw out a cool and confident expression, like a wink or lip bite, to enhance the effect and look extra cold-blooded. If you want to dap someone up like LeBron and D-Lo, slap your friend's right hand with your right hand, then slap the back of their right hand with the back of your right hand. Wrap your thumb around the crook of their thumb, gently squeeze, then let go and flash the ice in my veins pose.

“Ice in My Veins” Beginnings & Popularity

The “ice in my veins” pose was created by D’Angelo Russell. On March 1, 2016, Los Angeles Lakers player D’Angelo Russell scored 39 points against the New York Nets. After shooting a three-pointer with 30 seconds left in the game, Russell celebrated by pointing at his forearm and shouting “ice in my veins” (which you can see here). On November 22, 2016, Lakers player Nick Young paid tribute to Russell by flashing the pose after scoring a three-pointer during the last 10 seconds of 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 started the “ice in my veins” trend on TikTok, users started using the pose in various videos. Rather than referring to the final moments of a basketball game, pointing to the “ice in your veins” on TikTok means you’re telling the truth or being authentic. It’s often featured in “It Started with a Hey” challenge videos, which is used to compare 2 people with different personalities. The “ice in my veins” pose is also called the “TikTok Arm Thing,” for people who are unfamiliar with its origins. Some TikTokers use the “ice in my veins” pose to humorously and ironically refer to something as cold-blooded.

“Ice in My Veins” Emoji

Use this emoji combo ????????????‍???? to say you’ve got “ice in your veins.” While there isn’t an official “ice in my veins” emoji, you can convey the same vibe by pairing the ???? basketball emoji with the ???? cold face and ????‍???? face exhaling emojis.

More Popular Slang

“Beast mode” If you’re going hard at the gym or dominating other players during a sports game, it means you’re in “beast mode.” Sports commentators frequently used the term to describe former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. “It’s 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,” it means you’re putting in an extraordinary, or even aggressive, amount of effort. People use this phrase in the gaming and sports world, and in everyday conversation to describe something they’re passionate about. “I just ordered a chocolate milkshake and I’m about to go ham on it ????” “She went HAM on that final play. I understand why they say she’s the best now!” “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,” it means they’re 100% focused and committed to something. They’re fully determined to complete a goal or task, and nothing will shake their focus or resolve. “I was locked in at the gym today, headphones on and everything.” “Duke is locked in tonight, scoring his 6th three-pointer of the night ????” “Stephen Nedoroscik was totally locked in on the pommel horse. He nailed his routine!”