trial balloon
Gauging public reaction
A trial balloon is an idea or plan floated publicly to gauge reaction before committing to it.
The metaphor comes from meteorological balloons sent up to test wind conditions.
Politicians and businesses release trial balloons to see how proposals will be received: The senator's speech was a trial balloon for tax reform.
If reaction is hostile, they can quietly abandon the idea without having formally proposed it.
One who steers aircraft
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- dry runPractice session beforehand
- probeThorough examination or tool
- gaugeStandard of measurement
prototype · preliminary · sample · screening · exploration · investigation · float · feeler
Returned response data
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- public reactionSociety's expressed response
- sentimentFelt attitude or view
reception · backlash · pushback · approval · criticism · blowback · outcry · endorsement
Escape through a breach
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- briefingConcise information session
- press releaseOfficial statement for media
anonymous source · off-the-record · planted story · messaging · media strategy · damage control · rollout
Risky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- feelerSensory appendage or probe
sounding out · floating · leaking · preemptive · positioning · calculated risk · hedge · setup
pilot
One who steers aircraft
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- dry runPractice session beforehand
- probeThorough examination or tool
gauge · prototype · preliminary · sample · screening · exploration · investigation · float · feeler · sounding
feedback
Returned response data
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- public reactionSociety's expressed response
sentiment · reception · backlash · pushback · approval · criticism · blowback · outcry · endorsement · acceptance
leak
Escape through a breach
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- briefingConcise information session
press release · anonymous source · off-the-record · planted story · messaging · media strategy · damage control · rollout
gambit
Risky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- tacticPlanned action for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
feeler · sounding out · floating · leaking · preemptive · positioning · calculated risk · hedge · setup
- balloonsfree flight
- trialsretrial, mistrial, dry run, practice test, pilot test
- feeling outtest the waters, sound out, probe, feel out, gauge
- Testing the watersprobing, easing in, tiptoeing, baby steps, pilot test
- teststest, tests, exam, exams, quiz
- warning signsred flag, yield sign, warning sign, caution sign, siren
trial balloonfirm commitment
Unwavering promise to act
final decision · binding agreement · done deal · fait accompli · sworn oath
trial balloonformal declaration
Official public statement
firm stance · edict · proclamation · executive order · diktat
ball, trial, balloon, trials, balloons, ballooning, probation, ballooned, trialed