trial balloon
noun/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
(especially North American English)- something that you say or do to find out what people think about a course of action before you take it
- They may be floating a trial balloon to test reaction in the region.
Word Origin1930s: from translation of French ballon d'essai.Want to learn more?
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trial balloon