tri·al bal·loon
noun/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
/ˈtraɪəl bəluːn/
(especially North American English)- something that you say or do to find out what people think about a course of action before you take it
试探性言论（或行动） - They may be floating a trial balloon to test reaction in the region.
他们可能正在漂浮一个试验气球来测试该地区的反应。
Word Origin1930s: from translation of French ballon d'essai. - They may be floating a trial balloon to test reaction in the region.