a way of deciding whether something is successful or true 决定性考验;严峻的考验 The acid test of a good driver is whether he or she remains calm in an emergency. 在紧急情况下能否保持冷静是对好司机的严峻考验。 The perception of fairness is the acid test for democracy. 对公平的感知是对民主的严峻考验。 This type of stone is the acid test of a climber’s ability. 这种石头是对登山者能力的严峻考验。
Word Originfiguratively, from the original use which was a test for gold using nitric acid.