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

We haven't heard anything further much about that since it was first floated — maybe it was a trial balloon that fizzled.

From Salon

These are the stories that resonate now, the innovations that feel fresh, the trial balloons for where the art form is headed.

From Los Angeles Times

Over and again his aides have chucked out trial balloons to an avid press corps – only to have each potential prime minister disavowed the following day.

From BBC

So in addition to courting delegates in early primary voting states, like Iowa for Republicans and South Carolina for Democrats, California tends to see a number of auditions and trial balloons by presidential hopefuls.

From Los Angeles Times

The nominations of Jefferson and Kugler came after a string of trial balloons floating other potential candidates who failed to gain traction.

From Reuters