Trial balloon Meaning in English
expression
释义
An idea or action presented to see how people will react before making a final decision. Often used in politics or business to test public or stakeholder opinion.
用法与细微差别
Usually figurative, not about real balloons. Common in media, business, and political discussions—'float a trial balloon' means to test reactions. Mildly formal, rarely used in casual speech. Often signals a proposal is not final.
例句
The company released a trial balloon to see if people liked the new product idea.
basic
The politician used a trial balloon about tax changes.
basic
They sent out a trial balloon before making the official announcement.
basic
Leaking the memo was just a trial balloon to test how the board would react.
natural
The CEO floated a trial balloon about switching to a four-day workweek.
natural
Whenever you hear a strange new plan in the news, it might just be a trial balloon.
natural