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to put out feelers
01
to ask some questions in order to figure out what someone is thinking of or what their opinion about a particular person or thing is
What is the origin of the idiom "put out feelers" and when to use it?
The idiom "put out feelers" is used to describe the act of making informal inquiries or suggestions to test the reaction of others before taking any further action. It is often used in a cautious or tentative way, as the person putting out feelers is not sure how others will react. The phrase is typically used in situations where the speaker wants to avoid making a commitment or causing offense.
Examples
The company was putting out feelers about the possibility of relocating to a new city.
The politician was putting out feelers to see if there was any support for his tax reform plan.
