Meaning & use
litmus test
A single indicator used to determine an unknown quality, especially someone's opinions or attitude.
See it in a sentence
His stance on the issue became a litmus test for the whole party.
Chemists use litmus paper as a quick litmus test for acidity in a solution.
A note on using this word
Litmus test originated in chemistry, where litmus paper changes color to reveal acidity or alkalinity, before the term became a common metaphor.
Words with a similar meaning
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