put out feelers

== English == === Etymology === An allusion to animals which use their feelers to gain awareness of their surroundings. === Pronunciation === === Verb === put out feelers (third-person singular simple present puts out feelers, present participle putting out feelers, simple past and past participle put out feelers) (idiomatic) To explore or watch for; to ask around; to investigate. ==== Synonyms ==== test the waters ==== Related terms ==== put out feel feeler ==== See also ==== trial balloon