test the waters
US /tɛst ðə ˈwɔtərz/
UK /tɛst ðə ˈwɔtərz/

1.
试水, 探路
to try something out cautiously before committing oneself to it
:
•
Before investing all his savings, he decided to test the waters with a small amount.
在投入所有积蓄之前,他决定先用少量资金试水。
•
The company is testing the waters with a new product in a limited market.
该公司正在有限的市场中试水新产品。