He ran the idea up the flagpole to see if anyone would support it.

He tested the water before jumping in.

I will be running something up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes.

He runs something up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes.

Raising the flag and seeing who salutes is a way to test people's loyalty.

She is dipping her toe in the water to see if she likes swimming.

The coach was not happy with the player's performance and decided to send him to the showers.

The coach sent someone to the showers.

He sends someone to the showers.

They decided to send it up the flagpole and see who salutes.