trial Idiome

on trial

in court as a defendant, defending your actions The man charged with the assault is on trial now. He's in court.

trial and error

learn by correcting errors, hit and miss We learned to make pizza by trial and error. We gradually improved.

trial balloon

a hint about a plan with the purpose of finding out what people think about the idea We sent up a trial balloon to see who would support our plan to enlarge the factory.

trials and tribulations

Idiom(s): trials and tribulations

Theme: DIFFICULTY

problems and tests of one's courage or perseverance.(Fixed order.)
• I suppose I have the normal trials and tribulations for a person of my background, but some days are just a little too much for me.
• I promise not to tell you of the trials and tribulations of my day if you promise not to tell me yours!

send up a trial balloon

Idiom(s): send up a trial balloon

Theme: TEST

to suggest something and see how people respond to it; to test public opinion. (Slang.)
• Mary had an excellent idea, but when we sent up a trial balloon, the response was very negative.
• Don't start the whole project without sending up a trial balloon.

industrial park|industrial|park

n. A complex of industrial buildings and/or businesses usually located far from the center of a city in a setting especially landscaped to make such buildings look better. The nearest supermarket that sells car tires is at the industrial park twenty miles from downtown.

on trial|on|trial

adv. or adj. phr. 1. For testing or trying out for a time before making a decision. I was lucky that I had bought the machine on trial because I didn't like it and was able to return it. Mother bought a new dishwasher on trial and was trying it out before deciding whether to keep it. 2. In a court being tried for a crime before a judge or jury. John White was on trial for murder. Mary was on trial before the Student Committee for spoiling school property.

stand trial|stand|trial

v. phr. To submit to a trial by court. The case has been postponed and he may not have to stand trial until next April.

trial and error|error|trial

n. A way of solving problems by trying different possible solutions until you find one that works. John found the short circuit by trial and error. The only way Tom could solve the algebra problem was by the method of trial and error.

trial balloon|balloon|trial

n. A hint about a plan of action that is given out to find out what people will say. John mentioned the class presidency to Bill as a trial balloon to see if Bill might be interested in running. The editorial was a trial balloon to test the public's reaction to a change in the school day.

trial

trial
In addition to the idioms beginning with trial, also see on trial.
* * *
- trial and error
- trial balloon
- trial by fire
- trials and tribulations

trial by fire

trial by fire
A test of one's abilities to perform well under pressure, as in Finishing this buge list of chores in time for the wedding is really a trial by fire. This expression alludes to the medieval practice of determining a person's guilt by having them undergo an ordeal, such as walking barefoot through a fire.

More Idioms/Phrases

treat treat like dirt treatment tree trial trial by fire triangle Triassic trick or treat trick out

English Vocalbulary

atrichoses atrichosis atrichous atrioventricular atrip atrium atriums atrocious atrocious weather atrociously atrociousness atrocities atrocity atrophia atrophic atrophied atrophies atrophy