test the waters en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To explore or probe, as before making a commitment.
Taking classes in a subject is a good way to test the waters and explore a potential career.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| testing the waters | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tests the waters | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| test the water | alternative | lexicographic | |
| tested the waters | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tested the waters | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Relateds
trial balloon · raise the flag and see who salutes
Synonyms
put out feelers · put one's toe in the water · dip one's toe in the water
Translations (15)
sv sondera terrängen (explore or probe) · ka ნიადაგის მოსინჯვა (explore or probe) · es catar el melón (explore or probe) · pl wybadać grunt (explore or probe) · fr tâter le terrain (explore or probe) · cmn 試水溫 /试水温 (explore or probe) · fi tunnustella maaperää (explore or probe) · ru прощу́пать по́чву (explore or probe) · es tantear el terreno (explore or probe) · fr prendre la température (explore or probe) · it sondare (explore or probe) · ru прощу́пывать по́чву (explore or probe) · pl badać grunt (explore or probe) · ar جَسَّ النَّبْضَ (explore or probe) · it tastare il terreno (explore or probe)