put out feelers
Seek informal feedback
To put out feelers is to make cautious, informal inquiries to gauge interest or reaction before committing to something: She put out feelers about a possible job change.
The image is of an insect's antennae, sensing the environment before proceeding.
The phrase suggests tentative exploration rather than direct asking.
- seekTry to find
- trial balloonPreliminary test of opinion
- feelPerceive by touch
- probeThorough examination or tool
- test the watersAssess before fully committing
get a read on · explore · scout · sniff around · tread lightly · inquire · tentative · canvass · touch base · ask around · gauge · sound · test · hint · sense · tiptoe · insinuate · reach out