be flying a kite
be flying a kite
To be suggesting something in order to gauge interest in it. When everyone objected to my idea, I reassured them that I was just flying a kite and had not made any sort of decision on the matter.
See also: flying, kite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
be flying a kite
mainly BRITISHIf someone is flying a kite, they are suggesting ideas or possibilities in order to see how people react to them before making a decision about them. The committee has paid a good deal of attention to what might be politically possible. It is consciously flying a kite. The idea came from a senator, but it seems likely that he was flying a kite for the secretary of state. Note: You can also talk about kite-flying. Bracken says he does not want to start kite-flying for his candidacy.
See also: flying, kite
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- flown
- fly a kite
- fly a/your kite
- kite flying
- bounce an idea off (of) (one)
- bounce an idea off someone
- float an idea
- run (something) up the flagpole
- run something up the flagpole
- run up the flagpole