to assess the quality of a particular idea or analysis by subjecting it to more intense scrutiny of some sort; derives from engineering, when the structural soundness or seaworthiness of a vessel is determined by applying atmospheric or liquid pressure up to its design limits, at which point poorly-designed objects can fail dramatically; in the business context a pressure test can send metaphorical shards in the direction of the unwary creator of the tested work; similar to stress test; the variant kick the tires has less serious connotations, and suggests a more cursory review