Test the waters first

[roman]

Test No. incompl/inter-59 "Testing, Testing", question 3

I think you're wise to find out first before you agree and believe it's a good idea to test the ......... first.

(a) waters
(b) springs
(c) rivers
(d) lakes

Test No. incompl/inter-59 "Testing, Testing", answer 3

I think you're wise to find out first before you agree and believe it's a good idea to test the waters first.

Correct answer: (a) waters

Your answer was: correct
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meaning of the waters first-

[Alan]

This expression means: you should first do some investigations before you make a decision.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Kati Svaby]

Hello,

I try to interpret to myself. Is it good in this way?
I spoke about my plan some of my friends to test the waters before I decide whether to go to see this movie or not.

Kati Svaby

[Beeesneees]

Hi Kati,

I spoke about my plan to/with some of my friends to test the waters before I decided whether to go to see this movie or not.

You could shorten it:
I spoke about seeing this movie with some of my friends in order to test the waters before making a decision.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Kati Svaby]

Bz,

Thanks, my sentence is really bad. I forgot the "speak to sb". My question : I know that 'in order to 'is used when we speak about our purpose but normally it can be expressed by infinitive. Here why isn't it enough an infinitive?
Merry Christmas and thanks:
Kati