trial balloons

listen to the pronunciation of trial balloons
English - English
plural form of trial balloon
trial balloon
An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc. offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn and his investment group reportedly floated an idea to merge certain Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) assets with an undisclosed web portal. . . . This trail balloon, or rumor, lacks the specificity for a thorough response, said a Time Warner spokeswoman.

trial balloon
balloon used in an experiment; hot-air balloon used for reconnaissance
trial balloon
A trial balloon is a proposal that you mention or an action that you try in order to find out other people's reactions to it, especially if you think they are likely to oppose it. They floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security. An idea or a plan advanced tentatively to test public reaction. something that you do or say in order to see whether other people will accept something or not
trial balloon
a balloon sent up to test air currents a test of public opinion
trial balloons

    Hyphenation

    tri·al balloons

    Turkish pronunciation

    trayl bılunz

    Pronunciation

    /ˈtrīl bəˈlo͞onz/ /ˈtraɪl bəˈluːnz/
Favorites