ballon d'essai
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Germans would simply use the small offer, not as a ballon d'essai, but as a means of inaugurating direct negotiations.
From Time Magazine Archive
That was a ballon d'essai, as they call it, and they think it was a very happy one.
From Royal Highness by Mann, Thomas
It was to have been a mere joke, a mere ballon d'essai.
From The Master of Mrs. Chilvers by Jerome, Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka)
This is no doubt what is technically known as a ballon d'essai.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, May 10, 1916 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
I would send out the thing as a ballon d'essai, to see if anyone would read it for itself, or would detect me underneath the disguise.
From Escape, and Other Essays by Benson, Arthur Christopher
