- (a) litmus test
- something that shows clearly what someone's opinions or intentions are.
His views on abortion are effectively a litmus test of his views on women's rights.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
(a) litmus test
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litmus test — litmus test, 1. (Chem.) A test to determine acidity or alkalinity, using litmus as an inddicator. [PJC] 2. Hence: (Fig.) A test for a single factor, which has only two outcomes, positive or negative; specifically: (Politics) the question of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
litmus test — litmus .test n [singular] 1.) one detail that is examined in order to help you make a decision about how suitable or acceptable someone or something is litmus test of/for ▪ The mayoral election is regarded as the litmus test for the integrity of… … Dictionary of contemporary English
litmus test — n. 1. a test using litmus paper to determine whether a solution is an acid or a base 2. any test in which a single factor determines the finding [a litmus test for political candidates] … English World dictionary
litmus test — litmus ,test noun count 1. ) an event, decision, etc. that provides a clear sign of what someone is really like or what their intentions are: The vote will be a litmus test for how serious the international community is about tackling… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
litmus test — ► NOUN 1) a test using litmus. 2) a decisively indicative test … English terms dictionary
Litmus test (politics) — A litmus test is a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would choose to proceed with the appointment or nomination. (The expression is a metaphor based on the … Wikipedia
litmus test — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms litmus test : singular litmus test plural litmus tests 1) an event, decision etc that provides a clear sign of what someone is really like or what their intentions are The vote will be a litmus test for how… … English dictionary
litmus test — [[t]lɪ̱tməs test[/t]] litmus tests N COUNT: usu sing, usu N of/for n If you say that something is a litmus test of something such as the quality or success of a particular thing, you mean that it is an effective and definite way of proving it or… … English dictionary
litmus test — noun a) A simple test for the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, using litmus paper. Temple, under its new coach, Ray Morrison, formerly of Vanderbilt, will be put to the blue litmus test Friday night when it takes on Georgetown. b) Any test… … Wiktionary
litmus test — noun 1. a coloring material (obtained from lichens) that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions; used as a very rough acid base indicator • Syn: ↑litmus • Hypernyms: ↑acid base indicator • Substance Holonyms: ↑litmus paper 2.… … Useful english dictionary
litmus test — noun 1》 Chemistry a test using litmus. 2》 a decisive test: they failed the litmus test of political maturity … English new terms dictionary
