trial balloon
Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms, Wikipedia.
trial balloon
n.
An idea or a plan advanced tentatively to test the reactions of other people.
[From the use of balloons to test weather conditions.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
trial balloon
n
a tentative action or statement designed to test public opinion on a controversial matter. Compare ballon d'essai
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tri′al balloon′
n.
a preliminary announcement or other effort made to determine the likely success of a proposed project.
[1930–35]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | ![]() |
2. | ![]() balloon - large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.