ballon d'essai
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Germans would simply use the small offer, not as a ballon d'essai, but as a means of inaugurating direct negotiations.
From Time Magazine Archive
I would send out the thing as a ballon d'essai, to see if anyone would read it for itself, or would detect me underneath the disguise.
From Escape, and Other Essays by Benson, Arthur Christopher
It was to have been a mere joke, a mere ballon d'essai.
From The Master of Mrs. Chilvers by Jerome, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka)
She was not a ballon d’essai; she was literally the whole show; and if she duplicated the sensational success of poor little Miss Claridge, we had nothing to fear.
From The Maids of Paradise by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
This is no doubt what is technically known as a ballon d'essai.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, May 10, 1916 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
