float the suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

"float the suggestion" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when proposing an idea or recommendation informally. For example: "During the meeting, I decided to float the suggestion of a team retreat." Alternative expressions include "propose the idea," "put forward the suggestion," and "offer the suggestion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I wish to argue — or should say, this being an essay, float the suggestion — that something other than either coincidence or appropriation is going on in James's use of the word as a title.

The New Yorker

"Woods could be setting up a season for the ages," announced ESPN, the country's biggest and most influential sports network, before going on to float the suggestion of him winning all four majors in one season, the so-called grand slam.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Consultants at McKinsey & Company floated the suggestion as part of their controversial report on employer views of health insurance.

The New York Times

He floats the suggestion of "a special rules conference" to introduce changes that would mean "more member involvement".

The Guardian

Some Freud scholar floated the suggestion that since Minna's bedroom was next to Freud and Martha's, there would have been few opportunities for hanky-panky.

The New Yorker

Most recently, Apple analyst Gene Munster floated the suggestion.

TechCrunch

Separately, there one report in the German press floats the suggestion that TomTom may even come into play if the car companies fail to win Here.

TechCrunch

She floats the suggestion of a bit of dirty talk and tells him that in the heat of the moment she has a masochistic streak and likes to be demeaned, verbally.

Vice

But in the scheme of all the different ideas that have been floated, the suggestions we've been making are far more significant than the few concepts that the administration has put on the table".

Huffington Post

Had he believed he could float out the suggestion of a deadly diagnosis without inciting her need to know more?

Huffington Post

Now the Gonzalez camp is floating out the suggestion that Gonzalez wants rent-a-player status, coming to the Bronx and taking a look around.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with a prepositional phrase starting with "that" or "of" to provide specific details about the idea being introduced.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "float the suggestion" when they are actually making a definitive command or a binding legal offer. Because "float" implies a degree of lightness and uncertainty, using it for a firm commitment can weaken your authoritative stance and lead to confusion regarding the seriousness of the proposal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "float the suggestion" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the verb "float" is used metaphorically to mean presenting an idea for consideration or testing reactions. According to Ludwig AI, this construction follows the standard transitive pattern of verb + definite article + noun. While literal uses of "float" (e.g., "float the candles") appear in technical contexts, the idiomatic usage remains dominant in literary and journalistic writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "float the suggestion" is a refined and effective idiomatic expression used to introduce ideas tentatively. Ludwig AI confirms its high prevalence in authoritative media outlets like The New Yorker and The Guardian, where it describes political maneuvers or creative pitches. Although exact matches are relatively rare in general text, its metaphorical structure is universally understood in professional English. It serves as a useful tool for writers who wish to convey a sense of trial and error or open-mindedness during the initial stages of a discussion. For a more direct approach, users might consider "put forward a proposal", but to capture the nuance of testing the audience's reaction, "float the suggestion" remains the superior choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put forward the suggestion

uses a more direct phrasal verb and is slightly more formal

propose the idea

replaces the metaphor with a standard formal verb

offer a recommendation

shifts the focus from a tentative probe to a helpful advice

air a suggestion

implies making a thought public for discussion

toss out an idea

is significantly more casual and informal

moot the idea

often used in British English to describe raising a point for discussion

pitch a proposal

commonly used in business and marketing contexts

test the waters

focuses more on the intent of checking the reaction than the act of speaking

broach the subject

implies introducing a topic that might be sensitive or difficult

drop a hint

is much more indirect and subtle than explicitly floating a suggestion

FAQs

How to use "float the suggestion" in a sentence?

You can use it when proposing an idea tentatively, such as: "During the meeting, the manager decided to float the suggestion of moving to a four-day work week."

What can I say instead of "float the suggestion"?

Depending on your tone, you can use alternatives like "put forward the suggestion", "propose the idea" or the more casual "toss out an idea".

Is it correct to say "float the suggestion" in a business email?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. It indicates that you are open to feedback and not yet committed to a final plan.

What's the difference between "float the suggestion" and "propose the idea"?

While both involve presenting a thought, "float the suggestion" is more tentative and experimental, whereas "propose the idea" sounds more formal and structured.