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feel out

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feel someone out (about someone or something)

Fig. to find out what someone thinks about someone or something. (This does not involve touching anyone.) I will feel him out about what he thinks about going to Florida. Let me feel out the boss about this matter.

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feel somebody out

also feel out somebody

to try to find out someone's opinions or thoughts without being obvious Why don't you feel them out to see if they'll invite me too? I need time to feel out the boss before asking for more money.

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feel out

Try cautiously or indirectly to ascertain someone's viewpoint or the nature of something. For example, We'd better feel out the author before we commit him to a publicity tour. This term alludes to physical groping. [Late 1800s] Also see take the pulse of.

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feel out

v.

1. To examine or investigate the opinion or nature of someone or something: We need to feel out the landlord about lowering the rent. My friends felt me out to see if I wanted to go to the carnival with them.

2. To find a path, especially through physical exploration of one's surroundings: We felt our way out of the dark room. They felt out a path to the edge of the underbrush.

See also: feel, out