feel for
Idioms-
Grope, reach for with one's hands, as in It was pitch dark, and I felt for the doorknob . [Early 1700s]
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feel for someone . Sympathize with or feel sorry for someone, as in Tom was so upset that I felt for him . This usage was put as feel with by Shakespeare: “It resounds as if it felt with Scotland” ( Macbeth , 4:3). Both senses of feel for are present in the somewhat sarcastic I feel for you but I can't quite reach you , meaning “Too bad, but I don't really feel sorry for you.”
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.
To get a feel for all the potential volatility, let’s first look at the Fed.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
Wanser said what makes Palou so good is his feel for both the car and the track and his ability to communicate with his team.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
"You feel for Arbeloa - his game plan was excellent, but a couple of moments cost Real Madrid."
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Styles, next week’s “SNL” host, said he just wanted to get a feel for it.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026
My heart settles down, even though I feel for this Timothy person.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
