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]

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Example Sentences

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

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

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2024

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

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2023

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

Since the press had some questions about the motives behind releasing the Grudge Report, it received very little publicity while the writers put out feelers.

From The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Ruppelt, Edward J.