trial balloon

短语

[体]测风气球

发音

UK /ˌtɹaɪəl bəˈluːn/
AU
US /ˌtɹaɪəl bəˈlun/

词形变化

trial balloons 复数

别名

trial-balloon

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    A small balloon released into the sky to determine the direction and tendency of winds in the upper air before a manned ascent in a larger balloon; a ballon d'essai.

    历史 航空 商务 工程
  2. 2.

    An idea, suggestion, or prospective action, product, etc., offered to an audience or group in order to test whether it generates acceptance or interest.

    比喻 习语

词汇关系

名词

上位词 5

test trial balloon tryout trial run

词源

Calque of French ballon d’essai (“small balloon released into the sky to determine the direction and tendency of winds in the upper air before a manned ascent in a larger balloon; (figuratively) prospective action to test acceptance”): ballon (“balloon”), essai (“trial, try; assay”).

来源：wiktionary