1 B2 idiomatic informal
To cautiously explore someone's opinions or feelings about something.
"Before making a formal offer, the recruiter called to feel out the candidate's interest in relocating."
separable
feel out
B2 informal separable transitive
To cautiously and indirectly explore someone's opinions, intentions, or the nature of a situation before committing.
In plain English
To carefully find out what someone thinks or what a situation is like before making a decision.
What does "feel out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To gradually assess or understand a situation by engaging with it carefully.
"In the first few weeks at a new job, you're really just feeling the place out — learning how things work."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To 'feel' one's way outward — tactile exploration extended metaphorically to social or intellectual exploration.
Actually means
To carefully find out what someone thinks or what a situation is like before making a decision.
Usage tip
Common in American English. Used in business, politics, and personal relationships. Implies a gentle, indirect approach to gathering information. The object can be a person or a situation.
Words that pair with "feel out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
situation candidate prospect market opinion potential
How to conjugate "feel out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
feel out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
feels out
he/she/it
Past simple
felt out
yesterday
Past participle
felt out
have + pp
-ing form
feeling out
continuous
Hear "feel out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "feel out"
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