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Balloon goes up - action (especially trouble) begins

The expression dates from the First World War when observation balloons were hoisted close to the trench-lines so that the enemy positions and movements could be watched; observers were also used to help range their own artillery before a bombardment. The hoisting of balloons was often, for the infantry, a sign that a major attack was imminent, though nowadays 'What time does the balloon go up?' can simply mean 'What time does it start?'

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13y ago

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