: a project or scheme tentatively announced in order to test public opinion
Examples of trial balloon in a Sentence
She's been floating trial balloons about a possible run for Congress.
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That trial balloon was unveiled by Steve Sadin in a front-page News-Sun story late last month.—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 The applicants suggested that the proposal is being presented as a trial balloon.—George Avalos, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 With affordability issues topping voters’ concerns in multiple surveys in recent months, the administration has floated a handful of trial balloons aimed at lowering the cost of buying a home, to mixed results.—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 27 Feb. 2026 Putting a toe in the water, trying something new on for size, floating a trial balloon.—Mark Woolsey, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trial balloon