ˈtrial balˌloon noun [countableC] something that you do or say in order to see whether other people will accept something or not 试探性行为[言辞] Senator Lott is floating trial balloons to test public opinion on the bill. 洛特参议员放出“试探性气球”，看看舆论对这项议案的反应。
trial balloon• It was Mr Florio, elected in 1989, who floated himself as a trial balloon for Clintonomics.• A good cabinet officer will take a policy proposal, put a trial balloon out.