Biz Idiom of the Day- "test the waters" test the waters Definition: To make a judgment about something before engaging in more involved activity; to evaluate a situation before committing to a course of action. Example: 1) We thought we'd test the waters before committing to a serious relationship. 2) We tested the waters and found that that there is great demand for our new product. Etymology: Before drinking water from a water source, it is wise to make sure that the water is safe and clean. So you 'test' or evaluate the water before you actually drink it. http://www.peakenglish.com/slang/dailybiz.jsp