I'm putting out feelers to see if anyone wants to buy my car.
put out feelers
idiomTo explore or watch for; to ask around; to investigate.
Origin
disputed originAn allusion to animals which use their feelers to gain awareness of their surroundings.
Before quitting her job, she put out feelers to check if other companies were hiring.
The diplomat quietly put out feelers among his contacts, probing for any sign that the hostile regime might be open to secret talks.
- 01
not to put too fine a point on it
Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.
- 02
put a band-aid on a bullet wound
To inadequately treat a serious situation.
- 03
put a blanket over
Make (something) seem less serious.
- 04
put a bug in someone's ear
To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.
- 05
put a damper on
To stop people from enjoying an activity.
- 06
put a foot wrong
To make a mistake.
- 07
put a gun to someone's head
To compel someone (to do something); to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.
- 08
put a hat on a hat
To do something unnecessary, to go over the top
Last updated April 17, 2026