test (redirected from tests the water)

acid test

Fig. a test whose findings are beyond doubt or dispute. The senator doesn't look too popular just now, but the acid test will be if he gets reelected.

See also: acid

cram for an examination and cram for a test

Fig. to study very hard for an exam. I have to go cram fora test now. If you would study during the school term, you would not have to cram.

See also: cram

litmus test 

1. Lit. a test used to determine the acidity or alkalinity of chemical substances. (Acid turns litmus paper red and alkaline compounds turn it blue.) I used a litmus test to show that the compound was slightly acid.

2. Fig. a question or experiment that seeks to determine the state of one important factor. His performance on the long exam served as a litmus test to determine whether he would go to college. The amount of white cells in my blood became the litmus test for diagnosing my disease.

See also: litmus

put someone or something to the test

Fig. to see what someone or something can achieve. I think I can jump that far, but no one has ever put me to the test. I'm going to put my car to the test right now, and see how fast it will go.

See also: put

stand the test of time

Prov. to be well regarded; to last for a long time. Bill and Nancy just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Their marriage has stood the test of time. The singer's work was not popular while she was alive, but it has stood the test of time.

See also: stand, time

test someone or something for something

to apply a test to someone or something to try to determine something or identify something. They tested me for all sorts of diseases. Ken tested the roof for weak spots.

test someone in something

to test someone in a particular subject. The committee decided to test her in her knowledge of the laws of the state. We were all tested in math and English.

test something out

to try something out; to test something to see if it works. I can't wait to test my new laptop out. I will test out the new brakes on the car.

See also: out

test for something

to try to find out about something by testing. We are testing for weak places in your roof. That's the noise you hear up there. They are testing for some sort of infection.

test out (of something)

to score high enough on a placement test that one does not need to take a particular course. I tested out of calculus. I don't know enough Spanish to test out.

See also: out

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a litmus test

something that shows clearly what someone's opinions or intentions are

Usage notes: Litmus is a substance used in chemical tests because it changes colour.

His views on abortion are effectively a litmus test of his views on women's rights.

See also: litmus

an acid test

a test which will really prove the value, quality, or truth of something The new show was well received but viewing figures for the next episode will be the real acid test. The acid test for the product will be whether people actually buy it.

See also: acid

need your head examined/examining  (British, American & Australian humorous) also need your head testing (British humorous)

if you tell someone they need their head testing, you think that they are crazy because they have done something stupid or strange You need your head examined if you're willing to spend £120 on a pair of jeans.

See also: examine, head, need

stand the test of time

if something stands the test of time, it remains popular or respected for a long time Very little of the drama from this period has stood the test of time.

See also: stand, time

test the water/waters

to try to discover what people think about an idea before you do anything about it, or to try to discover what a situation is really like before you become very involved in it I mentioned my idea to a couple of friends as a way of testing the water and they were very enthusiastic about it. Perhaps you should go to a couple of meetings to test the waters before you decide whether to join the club.

See stand the test of time

See also: water

tried and tested/trusted  (British, American & Australian) also tried and true (American)

used by many people and proved to be effective They ran a highly successful advertising campaign using a tried and tested formula. Most people would prefer to stick to tried and true methods of birth control.

See also: and, tried

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need (to have) your head examined

you have done something that will make others think you stupid or strange Anyone who pays that much for a pair of jeans needs to have her head examined.

Usage notes: usually used as a humorous criticism

See also: examine, head, need

pass the smell test

to be morally acceptable Robinson's removal as an independent investigator doesn't pass the smell test, and many believe it was done for political reasons.

Usage notes: often used in negative sentences, as in the example

See also: pass, smell

put somebody/something to the test

to find out how good someone or something is Those icy roads certainly put my driving to the test. An explosion in the subway put police and firefighters to the test.

See also: put

stand the test of time also withstand the test of time

to continue to work well over a long period of time Look for software that has stood the test of time, not something new and unproven. So we want it to be a good house, one that's going to stand the test of time.

See also: stand, time

test the waters

to try something new We are testing the waters to see if online ads increase sales.

Related vocabulary: float an idea

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of test the waters (to put your toe into water to see how cold it is)

See also: Waters