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投石问路 (tóu shí wèn lù) — (idiom) to test the waters, to probe the situation

Definition

Idiom meaning to test the waters by probing cautiously before committing. Implies a small, exploratory action to gauge reaction — stronger and more figurative than simply 试探.

idiom
to test the watersto probe the situation

Examples

  • ，投石问路，。
    Zài kāi shǐ xiàng mù zhī qián, wǒ men yīng gāi xiān tóu shí wèn lù, liǎo jiě yí xià shì chǎng fǎn yìng.
    Before starting the project, we should test the waters and understand market reactions.
  • 投石问路，。
    Tā xiān tóu shí wèn lù, kàn kàn lǎo bǎn duì zhè ge jiàn yì de tài dù.
    He first probed to see the boss's attitude towards this suggestion.
  • 投石问路，。
    Tā yǐ tí wèn de fāng shì tóu shí wèn lù, shì tàn duì fāng de dǐ xiàn.
    She used a questioning approach to feel out the other side's bottom line.

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