sounding board
Feedback-giving listener
A sounding board is a surface that reflects and amplifies sound, especially the thin wooden panel in a piano or the canopy over a pulpit.
More commonly, a sounding board is a person you use to test ideas before committing to them: I need a sounding board for this proposal—can I run it by you?
The metaphor captures how ideas, like sound, gain clarity through reflection.
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
- confidantTrusted keeper of secrets
- counselExpert guidance offered
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- advisorOne who gives guidance
consultant · coach · trusted friend · brainstorming · consultation · perspective · feedback · listener
Frequency-amplifying device
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
- acoustic panelSurface that absorbs noise
resonance · projection · reverberation · canopy · bandshell · tonality · timbre · sonority
Self-reinforcing information environment
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- megaphonePortable voice amplifier
platform · springboard · catalyst · conduit · channel · vehicle · medium · forum
Preliminary test of opinion
- sanity checkVerification of basic soundness
- reality checkConfrontation with actual circumstances
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
- dry runPractice session beforehand
focus group · beta test · proof of concept · feasibility · validation · stress test · litmus test · market research
mentor
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
advisor · consultant · coach · trusted friend · brainstorming · consultation · perspective · feedback · listener · strategist
resonator
Frequency-amplifying device
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
acoustic panel · resonance · projection · reverberation · canopy · bandshell · tonality · timbre · sonority · auditorium
echo chamber
Self-reinforcing information environment
- mirrorReflective viewing surface
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
megaphone · platform · springboard · catalyst · conduit · channel · vehicle · medium · forum · outlet
trial balloon
Preliminary test of opinion
- sanity checkVerification of basic soundness
- reality checkConfrontation with actual circumstances
- pilotOne who steers aircraft
dry run · focus group · beta test · proof of concept · feasibility · validation · stress test · litmus test · market research
- boardsblackboard, whiteboard, chalkboard, cutting board, clipboard
- confidantsconfidant, trusted friend, best friend, advisor, counselor
- instrument partsneck, body, strings, guitar body, piano keys
- resonatorsresonator, resonance, cavity resonator, echo chamber, soundhole
- adviceadvice, advise, tips, counsel, guidance
- supportersfan, patron, supporters, backers, backer
sounding boardyes-man
Uncritical agreeable subordinate
sycophant · rubber stamp · brick wall · flatterer · echo chamber
sounding boardsilencer
Sound-dampening gun attachment
censor · suppressor · muzzle · dampener · void
sounding boardblack hole
Collapsed star's remnant
deaf ear · brick wall · dead end · void · vacuum
sound, soundly, sounding, resound, unsound, ultrasound, soundness, soundproof, soundscape