-- when you have no idea if something works, and you go at it tentatively
-- metaphorically like sticking your finger in coffee or tea to see if too hot
Testing waters is workout champs who try 2 sets squatting and never use the exercise ever in lifetime again.
Jessica workout mania champ tried 2 sets of testing the waters barbell squats and has never touched the exercise again in lifetime. Hecne the term for workout champs trying squatting in weightlifting 2 wimpy testing the waters sets.
Texting your friend a cautious 'Hey' when you haven't heard from them in an unusually long time, in order to check that they're not pissed off with you.
Often results in 1) a responding 'Hey' if clear of blame, or 2) pointed silence from the other party if you are guilty of an unknown offence.
Person A: Hey
Person B: YO WASSUP BRUH, AIN'T HEARD FROM YA IN DIZZAYS. HOW U BEEN MAN.
Person A: Soz man, was just texting the water to make sure you weren't mad at me for throwing up in your pool the other night. Glad we're cool
when you're holding up your phone and making faces at it, as though you are taking a selfie, but you're really taking a picture of the person across from you or the wall or anything else that seems interesting but you don't want to be caught dead taking a picture of.
This action is often made more convincing by wiggling the eyebrows or opening the mouth, to pretend you're trying to get a Snapchat filter to work.