trial balloon
US /ˈtraɪəl bəˈluːn/
UK /ˈtraɪəl bəˈluːn/
1.
试探性提议, 试探性言论
something said or done in order to find out what people's reactions or opinions are
:
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The politician floated a trial balloon about tax reform to gauge public opinion.
这位政治家抛出了一个关于税收改革的试探性提议，以衡量公众舆论。
•
The article served as a trial balloon for the company's new policy.
这篇文章是公司新政策的试探性提议。