experiment on

experiment (up)on (someone or something)

To perform tests on someone or something in order to gain insight and data about it. We got approval to start experimenting on mice, so we can see how the procedure affects their islet cells. No way, I could never experiment on animals! We're not real scientists, so why do we have to experiment on a frog for Bio class? So gross.

See also: experiment

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

experiment (up)on someone or something

to use someone or something as the subject of an experiment. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Do you think we should experiment upon people? The researchers were experimenting on a new drug that might cure rabies.

See also: experiment, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.