straw poll

Friendly

Word: Straw Poll

Definition: A "straw poll" is an unofficial vote that is taken to find out what people think about a particular issue or topic. It’s not a formal or official vote; instead, it’s often used to gauge public opinion or to see which way people lean on a certain issue.

Usage Instructions:

• When to Use: You can use "straw poll" when talking about informal votes or surveys, especially in discussions about opinions or preferences. It’s common in meetings, discussions, or social settings.
• How to Use: The phrase is always a noun, so you can say "we held a straw poll" or "the results of the straw poll showed…"

Example:

• "Before making a decision, the committee held a straw poll to see how everyone felt about the new project."

Advanced Usage:

• In political contexts, politicians or organizations may conduct straw polls to assess the popularity of a candidate or policy before an official election or vote takes place.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "straw poll," but you might encounter related phrases like "opinion poll" or "survey."

Different Meaning:

• The term "straw" in "straw poll" does not refer to the material but is believed to suggest something light or insubstantial, indicating that the poll is not scientifically rigorous.

Synonyms:

• Opinion poll
• Informal vote
• Survey

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "straw poll." However, you could use phrases like "take a vote" or "gauge opinion" in similar contexts.

Summary:

A straw poll is an informal way to check what people think about something.

Academic

Noun

1. an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue

Synonyms

• straw vote