test the waters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "test the waters" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to cautiously trying something new or unfamiliar in order to see what the result of the action will be. For example, "Before investing a large sum in the project, the company wanted to test the waters first by investing a smaller amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Time to test the waters.

The Economist

That game was to test the waters.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think they'll come back and test the waters.

The New York Times - Sports

And that's O.K. It's a way to test the waters.

The New York Times

We had agreed to meet, to test the waters.

The New York Times

"Six Shooter" was meant to test the waters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Well, let's test the water.

The Guardian

Decided to test the water by moving forward two steps.

The Guardian - Travel

"We needed to test the water.

BBC

TWI works at the local level to test the water and diagnose the problem.

Huffington Post

and test the water yourself.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "test the waters" when you want to convey a sense of caution and initial exploration before committing to a larger action or decision. It implies a measured approach to something new.

Common error

Avoid using "test the waters" when you are already deeply involved or committed to something. The phrase suggests a preliminary stage, so ensure the context aligns with a cautious first step rather than an ongoing process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "test the waters" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of cautiously exploring a new situation or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a preliminary action to gauge potential outcomes before committing fully.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "test the waters" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that means to cautiously explore a new situation or opportunity to assess potential outcomes. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It's versatile enough for use in various contexts, as shown in the examples. Primarily found in news and media, wiki and business environments, it suggests a measured approach before committing to a larger course of action. To use it effectively, ensure the context aligns with a preliminary stage and consider alternative phrases like "dip a toe in" for informal settings or "assess the situation" for more formal ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dip a toe in

An informal idiom for starting something slowly and cautiously.

test the temperature

Idiomatic and means to assess mood, feeling or inclination.

put out feelers

Emphasizes a more subtle and indirect approach to gathering information.

assess the situation

Focuses on evaluating circumstances before taking action.

explore the possibility

Focuses on investigating potential outcomes rather than immediate action.

make a trial run

Suggests a practical test to see if something works.

gauge the reaction

Specifically aimed at measuring responses or sentiments towards something.

probe the market

Specifically used in a business context to evaluate market potential.

sound out opinion

Implies actively seeking feedback on a particular subject.

conduct a preliminary investigation

A more formal and thorough approach to initial inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "test the waters" in a sentence?

You can use "test the waters" to describe a situation where someone is cautiously exploring a new opportunity or idea. For example, "Before launching the new product, the company decided to "test the waters" with a small beta group".

What does it mean to "test the waters"?

To "test the waters" means to try something out tentatively or cautiously in order to assess the potential outcome or reaction before committing to a larger course of action. It's about minimizing risk by gathering initial information.

What are some alternative phrases for "test the waters"?

Alternatives include "dip a toe in", "put out feelers", or "gauge the reaction". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "test the waters" a formal or informal expression?

"Test the waters" is generally considered an informal idiom suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "conduct a preliminary investigation" or "assess the situation".