World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesTrial-balloon
/ˈtraɪ.əl bəˌluːn/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A tentative policy, proposal, or idea submitted to the public or a specific group to test opinion and gauge reaction before official implementation.
"The administration floated a trial-balloon regarding the new tax reform to assess public backlash." - 2
A preliminary action or statement designed to probe someone's intentions or views on a sensitive matter.
"Her casual remark about resigning served as a trial-balloon to see if the board would object."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the late 19th-century practice of launching actual small meteorological balloons to test wind direction and speed before a major flight. The term transitioned metaphorically into politics and business by the early 20th century to describe the floating of a tentative policy or idea to gauge public reaction.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Trial-balloon"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Trial-balloon" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
ballon d'essai
Transliteration: ba-lɔ̃ dE-se
"Le gouvernement a lancé un ballon d'essai pour voir la réaction du public."
Testballon
Transliteration: tɛstbaˈloːn
"Die Regierung hat einen Testballon steigen lassen, um die Stimmung zu prüfen."
ballon d'essai
Transliteration: balˈlɔn deˈsɛ
"La proposta è stata solo un ballon d'essai per testare le reazioni."
globo sonda
Transliteration: ˈglo.βo ˈson.da
"El ministro lanzó un globo sonda para medir la reacción popular."
balão de ensaio
Transliteration: baˈlãw dji ẽˈsaju
"A medida anunciada não passou de um balão de ensaio."
परीक्षण गुब्बारा
Transliteration: parīkṣaṇ gubbārā
"सरकार ने जनभावनाओं को परखने के लिए एक परीक्षण गुब्बारा छोड़ा।"
试探气球
Transliteration: shìtàn qìqiú
"这项政策只是政府投放的一个试探气球。"
여론 떠보기
Transliteration: yeoron tteobogi
"이번 발표는 국민들의 반응을 보기 위한 여론 떠보기에 불과하다."
観測気球
Transliteration: kansoku kikyū
"その発言は世論の反応を見るための観測気球だった。"
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