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Synonyms

feel out

Idioms  
  1. Try cautiously or indirectly to ascertain someone's viewpoint or the nature of something. For example, We'd better feel out the author before we commit him to a publicity tour. This term alludes to physical groping. [Late 1800s] Also see take the pulse of.


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.

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The decision to have a child isn’t primarily a financial calculation, and a one-time payment doesn’t touch the conditions that make family formation feel out of reach.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 6, 2026

You feel out of it and a little slow, but usually a good night’s sleep takes care of it.”

From Los Angeles Times May 23, 2026

"The gym just feels like there's like-minded people there. I just don't feel out of place or anything like that," she says.

From BBC Mar. 21, 2026

The discussion didn’t feel out of the ordinary for longtime listeners of “New Heights.”

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 25, 2025

I don’t feel out of control or angry beyond belief.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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