Let's run it up the flagpole

Meaning

This means to present an idea to a group or authority figure to see how they react to it. It is about testing the waters for a proposal.

Professional, cautious

Used in a sentence

• I have a proposal for the new benefits package, so let us run it up the flagpole with the board.
• Let us run that schedule change up the flagpole with the team and see if they have any objections.
• I am not sure if he will agree, but we can run it up the flagpole and see what he thinks.