run something up the flagpole

Short form of run it up the flagpole, to see who salutes.

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run something up the flagpole (third-person singular simple present runs something up the flagpole, present participle running something up the flagpole, simple past ran something up the flagpole, past participle run something up the flagpole)

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To propose an idea or make a suggestion in order to learn the reaction of others to it.

   The idea might not be so bad; why don't you run it up the flagpole at the next board meeting?

   Synonym: float