put out feelers

Idioms and Phrases

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

When the latest Roethlisberger incident surfaced, there were reports that the Steelers immediately put out feelers to trade him.

From The Daily Beast

That generation died off; and London had begun to put out feelers in all directions, and had outgrown the ancient limits.

From Project Gutenberg

The shy awkward man began to put out feelers for friendship.

From Project Gutenberg

Socialism did no more than put out feelers at the time of the Revolution.

From Project Gutenberg

He is such a hard-shell being that he cannot put out feelers to his kind.

From Project Gutenberg

During this time Charmian was beginning to "put out feelers."

From Project Gutenberg