Lexic.us

Definition of Trial balloon

1. Noun. A test of public opinion.

Definition of Trial balloon

1. Noun. (idiomatic) An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc. offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Trial Balloon

Literary usage of Trial balloon

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Alliance Adrift by Yoichi Funabashi (1999)
"And this was what we would call a trial balloon. If the trial balloon fell, they would rather it be a US trial balloon than a Hashimoto trial balloon. ..."

2. The Musical World (1868)
"... had displayed a calm resolution announcing an energetic character. His trial balloon rose in the air without the slightest accident; it is true that ..."

3. Negotiating While Fighting: The Diary of Admiral C. Turner Joy at the Korean by Charles Turner Joy, Allan E. Goodman (1978)
"Lee disregarded several opportunities which were offered him to discuss the question of civilians in response to the trial balloon sent up yesterday by UNC. ..."

4. Are Military Adultery Standards Changing: Congressional Hearing edited by Sam Brownback (2000)
"This was a major trial balloon. Something does not appear on the front page of the Sunday ... Well, the trial balloon drew immediate fire, not just from ..."

5. The Aerospace Year Book (1919)
"A trial balloon was liberated for a course laid out on a chart. Then a balloon with a bomb was liberated, after timing the fuse. By this means, bombs fell ..."

6. Aircraft Year Book by Manufacturers Aircraft Association (1919)
"A trial balloon was liberated for a course laid out on a chart. Then a balloon with a bomb was liberated, after timing the fuse. By this means, bombs fell ..."

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