put out feelers

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

The disgruntled fishermen put out feelers and a syndicate is formed often involving different businessmen from the cities of Garowe and Bosaso.

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He also hopes to get the band on board, and has put out feelers.

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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.

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They signed up for English classes, and Sergei put out feelers on a new business venture.

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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.

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