trial balloon

American  

noun

1. a statement, program, or the like issued publicly as a means of determining reactions in advance.

   The speech was a trial balloon for a new law.

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trial balloon British  

noun

1. a tentative action or statement designed to test public opinion on a controversial matter Compare ballon d'essai

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trial balloon Cultural  

1. A small campaign or test designed to gauge public response. The term originally referred to a balloon sent up to determine weather conditions: “The speech on free trade that the candidate delivered last month must have been a trial balloon; the audience reacted with hostility, and he has not mentioned the subject since.”

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trial balloon Idioms  

1. An idea or plan advanced tentatively to test public reaction, as in Let's send up a trial balloon for this new program before we commit ourselves. This expression alludes to sending up balloons to test weather conditions. [c. 1930]

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Etymology

Origin of trial balloon

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

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

One thing is certain: Gaetz will serve as a trial balloon, even if his nomination is deadly serious.

From Slate • Nov. 13, 2024

Gladchuk, though unsurprised by the outcry, characterized the response as alarmist and wildly premature to what he describes as the equivalent of a trial balloon.

From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 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)