put out the/(one's) feelers
(redirected from put out the feelers)put out the/(one's) feelers
To try to learn or discern something tentatively, discreetly, or indirectly. (An allusion to the antennae of insects, used to detect minute changes in the environment.) He's been putting out feelers to see how employees might react to such a policy. Why don't you put out your feelers and see if anyone is interested in buying. A: "I wonder what's going on with Jennifer lately." B: "I'll see if I can put the feelers out the next time I see her."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
put out (some) feelers (on someone or something)
to arrange to find out about something in an indirect manner. I put out some feelers on Betty to try and find out what is going on. I will put out feelers on what's going on with June.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
put out feelers
Discreetly try to learn something, as in They put out feelers to see if anyone was interested in buying the company. This idiom alludes to an animal's feelers, such as antennae or tentacles, used to find food. [First half of 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
put out feelers
If you put out feelers, you carefully try to find out about other people's feelings or plans, so that you will know what to do next. I will put some feelers out among my community. Spend some time putting feelers out to see if you can find a suitable building. Note: Verbs such as send, have or throw are sometimes used instead of put. He has sent out feelers to three right-wing parties, with a view to freeing himself from the coalition with Labour. Note: Feelers are the long thin sense organs on the heads of insects and certain other creatures such as snails.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
put out/have ˈfeelers
try to find out what people think about a particular course of action before you do it: They’re putting out feelers about the possibility of building a new sports complex in Leeds.An insect has feelers (= antennae) on its head, which it uses to feel or sense things.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017