Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

put out feelers

Idioms  
  1. 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.

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

He and his buddy photo-bombed the Arc de Triomphe and put out feelers to everyone they encountered for tips on where real Parisians go to drink.

From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2024

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

He put out feelers and got no hold.

From Poor Man's Rock by Johnson, Frank Tenney

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "put out feelers" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com