Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Navid]

Hello Teachers,

Again new idiom - What do you mean by "test the waters"?

Thanks in advance.
Navid

[bud]

Hi Navid,

Here's a good definition and sample sentence from Cambridge Dictionaries:

To test the water(s) is to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you do or try it:
Candidates like to test the waters before running for office.

from: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=test*1+7&dict=A

Note: Just to be sure that you understand, the "(s)" at the end of "water" means that you can use it in the singular (water) or plural (waters). Here in the northeast US, it is more common to use "waters." In other locations, it may be more common to use "water."

Hope that helps.