noun
a tentative measure taken or statement made to see how a new policy or action will be received
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The government often uses a trial balloon to test public opinion before implementing a new policy.
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The company floated a trial balloon to see how employees would react to a potential change in office hours.
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The team decided to throw out a trial balloon to gauge interest in a team outing.
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She always sends out a trial balloon before making any big decisions in her personal life.