acid test

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

acid test
    n 1: a rigorous or crucial appraisal

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

25 Moby Thesaurus words for "acid test":
      assay, blank determination, brouillon, criterion, crucial test,
      crucible, determination, docimasy, essay, feeling out, first draft,
      kiteflying, ordeal, probation, proof, rough draft, rough sketch,
      sounding out, standard, test, test case, touchstone, trial, try,
      verification