feel for
Idioms-
Grope, reach for with one's hands, as in It was pitch dark, and I felt for the doorknob . [Early 1700s]
-
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.
“I feel so bad for all the families, including Vanessa and you feel for them,” Luna told Fox 11 news at the time.
From Los Angeles Times
Still I feel for those in long sleeves and/or tons of sequins.
From Los Angeles Times
I really feel for Daniel Farke because he has had a great season but they are only three points clear of the relegation zone, and they really need something from this game.
From BBC
“He’s got a really good feel for the game,” Jeremiah said.
From Los Angeles Times
"I think I was lucky, but I feel for the other women," she says.
From BBC
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.
