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put out feelers

Idioms

Discreetly try to learn something, as in They put out feelers to see if anyone was interested in buying the company. This idiom alludes to an animal's feelers, such as antennae or tentacles, used to find food. [First half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It put out feelers, including to Aberdeen University's zoology department and museums.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Finally, she’s put out feelers to those with private planes, even offering to provide a free solo concert in return for a flight to Wichita.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 8, 2025

And he has put out feelers to SpaceX and Blue Origin about a ride on one of the big launchers those private companies are developing.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 27, 2022

Cozad immediately put out feelers to find a new job, and said she’s had a good response.

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2022

That generation died off; and London had begun to put out feelers in all directions, and had outgrown the ancient limits.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 57, No. 351, January 1845 by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023