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Definition of trial balloon noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

trial balloon

noun
 
/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
 
/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
(especially North American English)
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  1. something that you say or do to find out what people think about a course of action before you take it
    • They may be floating a trial balloon to test reaction in the region.
    Word Origin1930s: from translation of French ballon d'essai.
See trial balloon in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: trial balloon

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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