to put out feelers

Examples

• All

• Sources, however, told CRN that HP has considered the sale of the EDS business and even put out feelers to potential buyers.

  Blog text (28)

• I was just putting out feelers for our future.

  Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

• - You have to sort of put out feelers.

  A Guide for the Married Man (1967)

• I can put out feelers.

  Seeing Heaven (2011)

• I started putting out feelers.

  Blog text (16)

• Jackson even put out feelers about buying one.

  Steel Magnolias (1989)

• We put out feelers, but unfortunately the excitement generated by Mr. Gunn's memorabilia fell somewhat short of expectations.

  Uptown Girls (2003)

• Before making a decision, I will put out feelers to see how my colleagues feel about the changes.

• She decided to put out feelers in the community to find out if anyone wanted to join the volunteer program.

Synonyms

A

to ask around

vsto put out feelers

• Informal

40 2.1

To ask several people for information

focuses on discreet testing with few contacts rather than broad informal asking

F

to feel out

vsto put out feelers

7 5.3

Try to find out someone's opinion or plans without asking directly

uses discreet inquiries to test if something is possible before acting

S

to sound out

vsto put out feelers

2 4.4

Try to find out what someone thinks by asking indirect questions

is often used as a careful probe before deciding on a course of action

Antonyms

I

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

D

to dismiss

332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

How Direct

to announce

∞ 1.5

to ask

∞ 1.0

to probe

• Literature

35 5.1

to sound out

2 4.4

to put out feelers

• Informal

1 6.2

to drop a hint

4 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology