dip/put/stick a toe in the water

phrase

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