bench trial
In law, a trial in which the judge decides the outcome, as opposed to a jury. In an unusual turn of events, the defendant indicated that he wanted a bench trial, waving his right to a trial by jury. Most of these types of administrative cases are settled by bench trial, with the judge simply hearing both sides of the argument and examining the relevant evidence. A: "It's going to be a bench trial, remember? So there is no jury selection." B: "Oh, right."
bring (someone or something) to trial
To cause a case to be tried in court. I am determined to bring that man to trial for the crimes he's committed. Come on, we both know you don't have enough evidence to bring my client to trial. I don't think she's slept in days because she's so worried that they'll bring the case against her to trial.
by trial and error
Describing a method by which attempts are made to achieve some goal, and then adjustments are made based on any mistakes or failures, followed by further attempts and adjustments until the goal is achieved. Rather than doing things by trial and error, you should really read the manual before trying to fix your engine. I didn't have any instructions for reassembling the machine, so I just worked by trial and error until I got it right. You can't do this by trial and error—we need to make sure we get it right the first time!
float a trial balloon
To propose something in order to get feedback on it. The phrase alludes to the former use of balloons to get information about the weather. When everyone objected to my idea, I reassured them that I was just floating a trial balloon 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 floating a trial balloon. A: "I'm just floating a trial balloon. 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."
go to trial
To cause a case to be tried in court. Considering the crimes that man's committed, he's definitely going to trial. You should seriously consider taking the plea. If you go to trial, you're looking at life in prison! Come on, we both know you don't have enough evidence to go to trial.
on a trial
Undergoing a probationary period of employment while one's suitability or worthiness is evaluated. I put a new girl on a trial. Hopefully she ends up being reliable.
on trial
1. Being tried in a court of law. The woman is on trial for stealing from stores all over town.
2. As a test to examine someone's or something's worth or suitability. They let us take the steam cleaner home on trial with the promise of a full refund if we didn't like it. They gave me the job, but only on trial for the first week until I prove I'm up to snuff.
send up
1. verb To cause something to rise, as into the air. A noun or pronoun can be used between "send" and "up." The erupting volcano sent up huge plumes of steam, ash, and smoke. Everyone at the party sent their balloons up at the same instant, creating a dazzling effect on the summer sky.
2. verb To cause, compel, instruct, or direct someone or something to travel to some high location or level. A noun or pronoun can be used between "send" and "up." Hi Mrs. Jenkins, I understand you're having some issues with your air conditioner. I just wanted to let you know that I'm sending up an engineer this afternoon. Would you please send some refreshments up to the meeting room upstairs?
3. verb To parody, tease, ridicule, or satirize someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "send" and "up." While the movie is obviously sending up the clichés of the genre, it doesn't do anything to meaningfully subvert them or even comment on them. The comedian has sent up every president from the past 30 years with surprisingly accurate impressions.
4. noun A parody or satire of something. Usually hyphenated or spelled as one word. While the movie is obviously a send-up of the genre, it doesn't do anything to meaningfully subvert it or even comment on it.
send up a trial balloon
To suggest something in order to get feedback on it or gauge how people respond to it. The phrase alludes to the now outdated use of balloons to get information about the weather. When everyone objected to my idea, I reassured them that I was just sending up a trial balloon and had not made any sort of decision on the matter. We've been sending up trial balloons of our various ideas for new products, and so far the consumer responses have been fantastic.
stand trial
To be brought before a judge for a crime or misdeed. You're faced with some serious accusations, so yes, you're probably going to have to stand trial.
trial and error
A process of determining the correct way in which to do something by making multiple attempts and learning from any possible failures or mistakes. Hyphenated if used as a modifier before a noun. I didn't have any instructions for reassembling the machine, so it was just a case of trial and error until I got it right. You take a trial-and-error approach to this issue—we need to make sure we get it right the first time!
trial balloon
A preliminary or tentative execution of a plan or idea in order to gauge the interest or approval of someone else, especially the public. We introduced the recipe for our soda in certain parts of the country as a trial balloon, but the response was overwhelmingly negative, so we scrapped the planned revision.
trial by fire
A situation in which one is placed under extreme pressure or stress and expected as a means of testing one's ability to learn or perform. I was thrown right in the middle of a huge project as soon as I was hired, so it was a bit of a trial by fire. The master's program is something of a trial by fire compared to the relatively lax structure of my bachelor's degree.
trial by media
1. A term for the impact that extensive media coverage of a trial has on the reputations of those involved in the legal proceedings. With its televised car chases, doctored magazine photos, and round-the-clock news coverage, the OJ Simpson trial is possibly the most obvious example of trial by media. Any time a political figure is involved in a scandal like this, you can count trial by media being a big part of the proceedings.
2. The determination of guilty by news outlets and users of social media (as opposed to an actual trial through the criminal justice system). Many news pundits are speaking as if the actor's guilt is a forgone conclusion, when no criminal charges have even been made yet. This is sort of trial by media needs to stop! I made one joke in really poor taste on social media that went viral, and now my whole career has been ruined thanks to the trial by media that ensued.
trial by television
A situation in which a person's guilt is decided by the population at large due to negative coverage by televised media outlets. Also phrased as "trial by the media." While the stories about the former CEO are all horrifying, right now they are just that: stories. We cannot allow trial by television to become the new means by which to condemn our citizens, who still enjoy the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
trial by the media
A situation in which a person's guilt is decided by the population at large due to negative coverage by the media. Also phrased as "trial by television." While the stories about the former CEO are all horrifying, right now they are just that: stories. We cannot allow trial by the media to become the new means by which to condemn our citizens, who still enjoy the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
trial run
The performance of some task or action as a means of testing or rehearsing something. They want everyone to show up tomorrow for a trial run of the ceremony. See if you can do a trial run on the laptop before you buy it from him.
trials and tribulations
Various difficulties, hardships, or problems, especially those that test one's courage, endurance, or resolve. The many trials and tribulations of becoming a doctor both serve to educate future medical practitioners as well as weed out those who aren't willing to dedicate the necessary time and effort. I hate going out with coworkers. All we end up doing is complaining about the various trials and tribulations we have to deal with in the office.
trials and tribulations of (something)
The various difficulties, hardships, or problems that accompany some particular activity, pursuit, or profession, especially those that test one's courage, endurance, or resolve. The many trials and tribulations of becoming a doctor both serve to educate future medical practitioners as well as weed out those who aren't willing to dedicate the time and effort. I hate going out socially with coworkers. All we end up doing is going over the various trials and tribulations of our job!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bring someone or something to trial
to bring a crime or a criminal into court for a trial. At last, the thugs were brought to trial. We brought the case to trial a week later.
go to trial
[for a case] to go into court to be tried. When will this case go to trial? We go to trial next Monday.
on trial
1. [of someone] in a legal case before a judge. The criminal was on trial for over three months. lam not on trial. Don't treat me like that!
2. being tested; being examined or experimented with. The new strain of wheat is on trial in Kansas at the present time. The teaching method is on trial in the school system.
send someone or something up
1. Lit. to order someone to go upward to a higher level; to arrange for something to be taken upward to a higher level. I'll send up Gary. They are hungry on the tenth floor. Let's send some sandwiches up.
2. Fig. to parody or ridicule someone or something. Comedians love to send the president or some other famous person up. The comedian sent up the vice president.
send someone up
Fig. to mock or ridicule, particularly by imitation. Last week, he sent the prime minister up. In his act, he sends up famous people.
send up a trial balloon
to suggest something and see how people respond to it; to test public opinion. 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.
stand trial
to be the accused person in a trial before a judge; to be on trial. He had to stand trial for perjury and obstruction of justice.
trial and error
trying repeatedly for success. I finally found the right key after lots of trial and error. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to get something done.
trial balloon
a test of someone's or the public's reaction. It was just a trial balloon, and it didn't work. The trial balloon was a great success.
trials and tribulations
Cliché problems and tests of one's courage or perseverance. 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!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
on trial
1. In the process of being tried, especially in a court of law. For example, He would be put on trial for the murder of his wife. [Early 1700s]
2. As a test of something, on probation, as in They said we could take the vacuum cleaner on trial and return it if it was too noisy. [Early 1700s]
send up
1. Put in prison, as in He'll be sent up for at least ten years. [Mid-1800s]
2. Cause to rise, as in The emissions sent up by that factory are clearly poisonous. [Late 1500s]
3. Satirize, make a parody of, as in This playwright has a genius for sending up suburban life. [First half of 1900s]
trial and error
An attempt to accomplish something by trying various means until the correct one is found. for example, The only way to solve this problem is by trial and error. The error here alludes to the failed means or attempts, which are discarded until the right way is found. [c. 1800]
trial balloon
An idea or plan advanced tentatively to test public reaction, as in Let's send up a trial balloon for this new program before we commit ourselves. This expression alludes to sending up balloons to test weather conditions. [c. 1930]
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.
trials and tribulations
Tests of one's patience or endurance, as in She went through all the trials and tribulations of being admitted to law school only to find she couldn't afford to go . This redundant expression- trial and tribulation here both mean the same thing-is also used semi-humorously, as in Do you really want to hear about the trials and tribulations of my day at the office?
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.