dip one’s toes in the water —(of an activity) proceed gently with much caution:
- Companies will dip their toes in the water by hiring temporary employees until they are certain their markets have recovered.
get one’s feet wet—gain one’s first experience of smth.; do smth. for the first time:
- Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet. Your first efforts may not be perfect, but you’ve got to start somewhere.