sound out

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to question (someone) in order to discover (opinions, facts, etc)

Idioms and Phrases

Seek the views or intentions of, as in We'd better sound out Mom about who's using the station wagon, or Let's sound out the staff before we decide which week we should close for vacation. This expression derives from sound meaning “to measure the depth of water by lowering a line or lead.” It was transferred to other kinds of inquiry in the late 1500s, but out was not added for several centuries.

Example Sentences

"I hope you are all safe and sound out there."

From BBC

Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham were among the London clubs sounded out, but those options never materialised.

From BBC

Children best learn to read by starting with foundational skills such as sounding out and decoding words.

From Los Angeles Times

But a stream of faulty alerts continued to sound out the following day.

From Los Angeles Times

The government has already sounded out a number of consultancies to take that on if the situation arises.

From BBC

Related Words

• bark 
• clang 
• honk 
• hoot 
• resound 
• roar 
• scream 
• shout 
• shriek 
• toot 
• trumpet