raise the flag and see who salutes

== English == === Alternative forms === send it up the flagpole and see who salutes === Pronunciation === === Verb === raise the flag and see who salutes (third-person singular simple present raises the flag and sees who salutes, present participle raising the flag and seeing who salutes, simple past raised the flag and saw who saluted, past participle raised the flag and seen who saluted) (idiomatic) To float an idea, (or otherwise do some action) to see what response or controversy (if any) it generates, usually as a preliminary step. === See also === nail one's colours to the mast test the waters