trial balloon
noun
a statement, program, or the like issued publicly as a means of determining reactions in advance: The speech was a trial balloon for a new law.
Origin of trial balloon
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby trial balloon
triadelphous,
triage,
trial,
trial and error,
trial balance,
trial balloon,
trial by battle,
trial by fire,
trial court,
trial denture,
trial docket
Example sentences from the Web for trial balloon
In the surreal half-light of a trial-balloon nomination, it is difficult for an individual to come to his own defense.
Chuck Hagel Deserves Fair Hearing for Defense-Secretary Post |John Avlon |December 24, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for trial balloon
trial balloon
noun
a tentative action or statement designed to test public opinion on a controversial matter
Compare ballon d'essai
Cultural definitions for trial balloon
trial balloon
A small campaign or test designed to gauge public response. The term originally referred to a balloon sent up to determine weather conditions: “The speech on free trade that the candidate delivered last month must have been a trial balloon; the audience reacted with hostility, and he has not mentioned the subject since.”
Idioms and Phrases with trial balloon
trial balloon
An idea or plan advanced tentatively to test public reaction, as in Let's send up a trial balloon for this new program before we commit ourselves. This expression alludes to sending up balloons to test weather conditions. [c. 1930]