trial-balloon
Preliminary public test
A trial balloon is an idea or proposal floated publicly to gauge reaction before committing to it.
The metaphor comes from meteorology, where balloons test wind conditions.
Politicians and executives send up trial balloons through leaks or unofficial statements: The senator's speech was a trial balloon for her presidential ambitions.
If response is negative, the idea can be quietly abandoned.
One who steers aircraft
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- proof-of-conceptFeasibility demonstration
- feasibilityPotential for success
dry-run · preliminary · exploratory · tentative · mock-up · screening · sampling · sounding
Response to stimulus
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- sentimentFelt attitude or view
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
opinion · assessment · evaluation · impression · gauge · survey · polling · pushback
Formal plan for consideration
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
- leakEscape through a breach
spin · candidate · platform · lobbying · endorsement · constituency · bipartisan · caucus
Staying atop liquid
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
maneuvering · hedging · groundwork · preparation · timing · messaging · framing · softening
pilot
One who steers aircraft
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- proof-of-conceptFeasibility demonstration
feasibility · dry-run · preliminary · exploratory · tentative · mock-up · screening · sampling · sounding · probe
reaction
Response to stimulus
perception · opinion · assessment · evaluation · impression · gauge · survey · polling · pushback · backlash
proposal
Formal plan for consideration
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- policyAdopted principle of action
leak · spin · candidate · platform · lobbying · endorsement · constituency · bipartisan · caucus · partisan
floating
Staying atop liquid
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
calculation · maneuvering · hedging · groundwork · preparation · timing · messaging · framing · softening · priming
trial-balloonfirm commitment
Unwavering promise to act
final decision · fait accompli · pledge · done deal · guarantee
trial, balloon, trials, balloons, ballooning, ballooned, balloonist, trying