dip (one's) toe in

Translations
окунуть (свой) палец ноги
She decided to dip her toe in the water before making a commitment to the project.
Она решила попробовать себя в деле, прежде чем взять на себя обязательства по проекту.
Definitions
To try something out or start to become involved in an activity or situation cautiously and in a limited way, often to test whether one likes it or feels comfortable with it.