acid test
Proof of worth
An acid test is a decisive trial that proves value or authenticity beyond doubt.
The term comes from using nitric acid to distinguish gold from base metals—gold resists the acid while imitations corrode.
Now almost entirely figurative: The acid test of any theory is whether it predicts outcomes correctly.
His loyalty faced the acid test when money was on the line.
Determining ultimate success
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- definingSpecifying exact meaning
- watershedDrainage area boundary
turning point · moment of truth · clincher · crucible · proving ground · trial by fire · baptism of fire · crunch time
Standard for comparison
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- measureUnit of quantity
- criterionStandard for judgment
- proofDemonstration of truth
verification · validation · assessment · judgment · appraisal · scrutiny · examination · yardstick
Acid-base indicator dye
- titrationMeasuring concentration by addition
- pHMeasure of solution acidity
- hydrochloricDescribing HCl solutions
- nitricNitrogen-containing, chemically speaking
sulfuric · indicator · neutralization · reagent · corrosive · base · buffer · alkalinity
Compositional evaluation procedure
- karatGold purity unit
- purityUncontaminated quality
- finenessPurity or thinness measure
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
nitric acid · bullion · authenticity · genuine · counterfeit · coinage · precious metals · jeweler
make-or-break
Determining ultimate success
- pivotalVitally important, deciding
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- definingSpecifying exact meaning
watershed · turning point · moment of truth · clincher · crucible · proving ground · trial by fire · baptism of fire · crunch time · do-or-die
benchmark
Standard for comparison
proof · verification · validation · assessment · judgment · appraisal · scrutiny · examination · yardstick · trial
litmus
Acid-base indicator dye
- titrationMeasuring concentration by addition
- pHMeasure of solution acidity
- hydrochloricDescribing HCl solutions
nitric · sulfuric · indicator · neutralization · reagent · corrosive · base · buffer · alkalinity · concentration
assay
Compositional evaluation procedure
hallmark · nitric acid · bullion · authenticity · genuine · counterfeit · coinage · precious metals · jeweler · prospector
- assayinghallmarking, hallmarks, scratch test, parting, karat
- scientific metaphorsblack hole, big bang, DNA, evolution, chain reaction
- Standards & Benchmarksbenchmark, yardstick, gold standard, set the bar, raise the bar
- ordealsordeal, trial by ordeal, ordeal by fire, ordeal by water, tribulation
- PsychedeliaLSD, acid, psychedelic posters, tie-dye, hallucination
- Chemical TestspH test, flame test, spot test, titration, colorimetry
acid testquick look
Brief visual inspection
once-over · rubber stamp · formality · going through the motions · gimme
acid testquick scan
Brief, surface-level examination
spot check · sniff test · gut check · first impression · snap judgment
acid testquick once-over
rubber stamp · spot check · rough estimate · gut feeling · first impression
acidic, acids, acidity, antacid, touchstone, acidify, amino acids, acidification, hyperacidity