send up a trial balloon
send up a trial balloon
To suggest something in order to get feedback on it or gauge how people respond to it. The phrase alludes to the now outdated use of balloons to get information about the weather. When everyone objected to my idea, I reassured them that I was just sending up a trial balloon and had not made any sort of decision on the matter. We've been sending up trial balloons of our various ideas for new products, and so far the consumer responses have been fantastic.
See also: balloon, send, trial, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
send up a trial balloon
to suggest something and see how people respond to it; to test public opinion. Mary had an excellent idea, but when we sent up a trial balloon, the response was very negative. Don't start the whole project without sending up a trial balloon.
See also: balloon, send, trial, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- champ at the bit
- champ at the bit, to
- tell (one) what (one) can do with (something)
- tell someone what to do with something
- tell what to do with
- be pushing up (the) daisies
- be pushing up daisies
- be pushing up the daisies
- answer the bell
- be straining at the leash