test the waters

bridge over troubled waters

Someone or something that provides support, comfort, and a means to overcome difficult times.

cast one's bread upon the waters

To perform a kind deed or favor without the motivation of any immediate reward or benefit to oneself, though with the possibility of eventual future return.

fish in troubled waters

To try to take advantage of a confused or troubled situation.

muddy the waters

To make something unclear and difficult to understand.

nose test

An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety.

pour oil on troubled waters

To calm, appease or quiet a person or situation.

put to the test

To test (something or someone); to evaluate, scrutinize or explore by testing or experimentation.

red face test

A hypothetical test of a person's embarrassment that is either passed or failed. Saying one passes the red face test means one would not blush and thus would not be embarrassed by disclosing something to others or doing something, and saying one fails the red face test means a situation would cause them discernible embarrassment.