Slang >Slang of the Day >Slang Forum >Slang Cards Business Idioms >BizIdiom of the Day >BizIdiom Forum 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. © 1998-2008 Distance Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use Agreement