litmus test
Single decisive criterion
A litmus test is a decisive indicator that reveals something essential.
The term comes from chemistry, where litmus paper changes color to show whether a solution is acidic or alkaline.
In broader use, a litmus test is a single question or criterion that determines acceptability: Abortion has become a litmus test for Supreme Court nominees.
The implication is that one factor settles the matter.
Measure of solution acidity
- indicatorSign revealing status
- acid-baseProton donor-acceptor chemistry
- color changeAlteration of hue
- redPrimary color, warm
blue · neutralization · titration · reagent · laboratory · pH scale · phenolphthalein · bromothymol blue
Standard for comparison
- touchstoneStandard for evaluation
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- gaugeStandard of measurement
bellwether · criterion · measure · standard · proving ground · crucible · trial · moment of truth
Measure of solution acidity
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- sourSharp, biting taste
- vinegarAcidic cooking liquid
- citrusAcidic fruits with segments
lemon · corrosive · hydrochloric · sulfuric · nitric · acetic · lactic · citric
Assessment of devoted allegiance
- purity testMeasuring adherence to standards
- dealbreakerUnacceptable condition that ends talks
- single-issueFocused on one matter
- partisanBiased toward one side
abortion · gun control · immigration · ideological · confirmation hearing · vetting · candidate · qualification
pH
Measure of solution acidity
- indicatorSign revealing status
- acid-baseProton donor-acceptor chemistry
- color changeAlteration of hue
red · blue · neutralization · titration · reagent · laboratory · pH scale · phenolphthalein · bromothymol blue · endpoint
benchmark
Standard for comparison
- touchstoneStandard for evaluation
- yardstickThirty-six-inch ruler
- barometerInstrument gauging atmospheric pressure
gauge · bellwether · criterion · measure · standard · proving ground · crucible · trial · moment of truth · tipping point
pH
Measure of solution acidity
citrus · lemon · corrosive · hydrochloric · sulfuric · nitric · acetic · lactic · citric · tartaric
loyalty test
Assessment of devoted allegiance
- purity testMeasuring adherence to standards
- dealbreakerUnacceptable condition that ends talks
- single-issueFocused on one matter
partisan · abortion · gun control · immigration · ideological · confirmation hearing · vetting · candidate · qualification · electability
pH
Measure of solution acidity
- baseSupporting bottom structure
- hydroxideAlkaline oxygen-hydrogen compound
- bicarbonateAcid-neutralizing salt
ammonia · sodium hydroxide · lye · carbonate · calcium · magnesium · borax · limewater · bleach · soapy
- science experimentsvolcano model, elephant toothpaste, color change, slime making, baking soda volcano
- scientific metaphorsblack hole, big bang, DNA, evolution, chain reaction
- standardsstandard, standards, norm, norms, criterion
- Standards & Benchmarksbenchmark, yardstick, gold standard, touchstone, set the bar
- Lab Activitiesdissection, titration, chromatography, pipetting, centrifugation
- Lab Experimentstitration, chromatography, distillation, electrolysis, flame test
litmus testin-depth analysis
Thorough detailed examination
deep dive · holistic review · forensic examination · due diligence · cost-benefit analysis
litmus testgray area
Ambiguous, ill-defined situation
open question · equivocation · fence-sitting · ambivalence · hedging