be flying a kite

To be suggesting something in order to gauge interest in it. When everyone objected to my idea, I reassured them that I was just flying a kite and had not made any sort of decision on the matter. If management criticizes your suggestion to close the office early on Fridays in the summer, say you were just flying a kite. A: "I'm just flying a kite. Maybe Mom and Dad will agree to giving me a later curfew, you never know." B: "Please, there's no way they'll let you stay out till 11 PM."

be flying a kite

mainly BRITISH

If someone is flying a kite, they are suggesting ideas or possibilities in order to see how people react to them before making a decision about them. The committee has paid a good deal of attention to what might be politically possible. It is consciously flying a kite. The idea came from a senator, but it seems likely that he was flying a kite for the secretary of state. Note: You can also talk about kite-flying. Bracken says he does not want to start kite-flying for his candidacy.