dip/put/stick a toe in the water
idiom
informal
: to try an activity briefly to see if one likes it
I'm not sure I want to join, but I'd like to dip a toe in the water.
Examples of dip/put/stick a toe in the water in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There's some understandable disillusionment this year following the peak excitement of GenAI’s arrival, resulting in hesitation to dip a toe in the water.
—
Mihir Shukla, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Those looking to dip a toe in the water can find havnebade, or harbor baths, all throughout the country, whether on the coast or among its lakes, rivers, and fjords.
—Regan Stephens, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2023
Before impacting the ground, the pilots swoop out of the turn just in time to pass through five low height gates and dip a toe in the water before landing on the strip.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
With this surging growth, more entrepreneurs and investors have decided to dip a toe in the water — or even take the full plunge.
—Mike Weinberger, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2021
Go ahead and dip a toe in the water to see if viewers notice or care.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2021
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Mihir Shukla, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Those looking to dip a toe in the water can find havnebade, or harbor baths, all throughout the country, whether on the coast or among its lakes, rivers, and fjords.
—Regan Stephens, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2023
Before impacting the ground, the pilots swoop out of the turn just in time to pass through five low height gates and dip a toe in the water before landing on the strip.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
With this surging growth, more entrepreneurs and investors have decided to dip a toe in the water — or even take the full plunge.
—Mike Weinberger, Rolling Stone, 27 Dec. 2021
Go ahead and dip a toe in the water to see if viewers notice or care.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Dip/put/stick a toe in the water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dip%2Fput%2Fstick%20a%20toe%20in%20the%20water. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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