# feel out

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/feel-out
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To attempt to ascertain a person's point of view, or the nature of a situation, by cautious and subtle means.

## Examples

- I need to feel out my boss before asking for a raise.
- Before we present the new project, let's feel out the team to see if they support our ideas.
- The diplomat spent the evening feeling out his counterpart, hoping to gauge whether a peaceful resolution remained a possibility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.