Trial Balloon Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

trial balloon What does trial balloon mean?	an announcement or experiment with the purpose of finding out what people think about an idea or product	We sent up a trial balloon to see who would support our plan to introduce the new product.
trial balloon What does trial balloon mean?	an announcement or experiment with the purpose of finding out what people think about an idea or product	We sent up a trial balloon to see who would support our plan for the new product.
	Some Random Idioms
ghost of a chance What does "ghost of a chance" mean?	very little chance, the smallest chance	The boy does not have a ghost of a chance to finish his homework before class.

bring (something) to a head What does "bring (something) to a head" mean?	to cause something to reach a point where a decision or some action is necessary	The accident will bring the issue of safety to a head.
extenuating circumstances What does "extenuating circumstances" mean?	special circumstances that explain an irregular or improper way of doing something	Because of extenuating circumstances, the man was able to avoid going to jail for stealing the money.
green What does "green" mean?	to be inexperienced or immature	The new employee is green and does not know his job very well.
on the horns of a dilemma What does "on the horns of a dilemma" mean?	to be bothered by having to decide between two things/people	We were on the horns of a dilemma as we tried to decide if we should move or stay in our apartment.
eat one`s words What does "eat one`s words" mean?	to take back something that one has said, to admit that something is not true	I told my boss that I would soon quit my job but later I had to eat my words and tell him that I wanted to stay.
draw to a close What does "draw to a close" mean?	to end	The tournament was drawing to a close and everybody was going back home.
pit stop What does "pit stop" mean?	stop made while driving somewhere, usually for food or to use a bathroom

promise (someone) the moon What does "promise (someone) the moon" mean?	to promise something that is impossible	Before the election the politicians promised everybody the moon but after they were elected they began to talk differently.
(be at one's) wit`s end What does "(be at one's) wit`s end" mean?	not know what to do	I have been at my wit`s end all week trying to decide what to wear to the party.
(do something) by the book What does "(do something) by the book" mean?	follow all the rules when you do something	Our lawyer is very good and he does everything by the book.
have turned the corner What does "have turned the corner" mean?	have passed a critical point in a process	I think that we have turned the corner and that our business will improve soon.

American Idioms and Expressions

Trial Balloon Idiom