牛刀小试怎么说英语

"牛刀小试" is a Chinese idiom that means to test something out or give it a try. In English, you could translate it as "giving something a test run" or "trying something out." For example:
"I'm thinking of taking up fencing, but I'm not sure if I'll like it. I think I'll give it a test run and see how it goes."
"I've never cooked Thai food before, but I've been wanting to try it. Maybe I'll give it a test run this weekend and see how it turns out."