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put out feelers

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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.

See also: out, put

put out feelers

to try to discover what people think about something that you might do She was thinking of running for mayor, so she started putting out feelers.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of feelers (the two thin parts attached to an insect's head, used to touch things)

See also: out, put

put out feelers

to try to discover what people think about something that you might do

Usage notes: An insect's feelers are the two long stick parts on its head which it uses to touch things and discover what is around it.

I've been putting out a few feelers and it seems that most people are against changing the way we elect the committee.

See also: out, put

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]

See also: out, put