trial balloon
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.
That trial balloon seems to have been shot down.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
We haven't heard anything further much about that since it was first floated — maybe it was a trial balloon that fizzled.
From Salon • May 12, 2025
The Era of No Rules came and went so quickly that Susan Collins couldn’t even make good on the bikini trial balloon.
From Slate • Sep. 30, 2023
She might be bringing up this topic as a sort of a trial balloon — testing the waters to see if you will react.
From Washington Post • Dec. 4, 2022
"I think we're being used as a trial balloon," Purdy said thoughtfully.
From The Flying Saucers are Real by Keyhoe, Donald E. (Donald Edward)
