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

“This film carries messages that serve as a trial balloon for ideas that are alien to us,” said Tamer Amin, a popular late-night host on Egyptian television.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 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)