小こ当あたり

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

sounding out; putting out a feeler; testing the waters

Used when indirectly checking someone's reaction, opinion, or situation before taking action. Often appears as 小当たりをする or 小当たりをかける.

• 彼かれの本ほん音ねを探さぐるために、少すこし小こ当あたりをしてみた。

  I tried sounding him out a little to find out what he really thinks.

• 企き画かくの反はん応のうを見みるため、まずは小こ当あたりをかけるつもりだ。

  I plan to test the waters first to see the reaction to the project.

noun

small jackpot (pachinko)

Pachinko term for a minor jackpot, smaller than a full jackpot (大当たり).

• 今日きょうは小こ当あたりばかりで、大おお当あたりが一いち度ども来こなかった。

  Today I only got small jackpots and never hit the big one.