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
This little ballon d'essai met the fate of many such, for the manuscript was returned within a fortnight.
From William Hickling Prescott by Peck, Harry Thurston
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
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 not received with universal favour, and, to avert dissension, it was represented as a mere ballon d'essai and was abandoned.
From The Open Secret of Ireland by Kettle, T. M. (Thomas Michael)
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
