throw the/(one's) feelers out

To try to learn about or discern something through tentative, discreet, or indirect discovery. An allusion to the antennae of insects, used to detect minute changes in the environment. He threw feelers out for the past couple weeks to see how employees might react to such a policy. We are throwing our feelers out for talented young lawyers who would make a great addition to our firm. I suggest throwing the feelers out for a while—you never know when a great job opportunity might present itself.