find out how the land lies



find out/see how the land lies

to get information about a situation before making decisions or taking action I thought I'd better call my mother and see how the land lies before inviting myself home for the weekend. (British & Australian)
See also: find, how, land, lie, out

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Zelophehad-Biblical
Tess[tes]
Viator-Late Roman
Merit (1)MER-itEnglish (Rare)
OtÁVio-Portuguese (Brazilian)
Pan-Greek Mythology