send up a trial balloon

to suggest something and see how people respond to it; to test public opinion. Mary had an excellent idea, but when we sent up a trial balloon, the response was very negative. Don't start the whole project without sending up a trial balloon.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Minnie	['mini]
Vakhtang	-	Georgian
Gunna	-	Danish, Ancient Scandinavian
Rowena	ro-EE-nə	English
Rhisiart	-	Welsh
Wilfredo	-	Spanish