Feel out Meaning in English
expression
ˈfiɫ/ /ˈaʊt
FEEL-owt
fˈiːl/ /ˈaʊt
FEEL-owt
Definition
To carefully find out someone's opinion or feelings about something, usually in a subtle or indirect way.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used when asking questions to 'test the waters.' Common collocations: 'feel out the situation', 'feel someone out.' Not the same as 'feel' (emotion) or 'figure out' (solve). Used for people, groups, or situations.
Spanish: sondear - tantearPortuguese (BR): sondar - sentir o terrenoPortuguese (PT): sondar - tomar o pulsoChinese (Simplified): 试探 - 探探口风Chinese (Traditional): 試探 - 探口風Hindi: टोह लेना - माहौल समझनाArabic: استكشاف (رأي شخص) - جس النبضBengali: ধাপে ধাপে জানতে চাওয়া - ইঙ্গিতে জানতে চাওয়াRussian: прощупывать - осторожно выяснятьJapanese: 探るVietnamese: thăm dò - dò xétKorean: 떠보다 - 눈치보다Turkish: yoklamak - nabzını yoklamakUrdu: رائے معلوم کرنا - آہستہ سے اندازہ لگاناIndonesian: mencari tahu secara halus - meraba-raba
Example Sentences
Let me feel out the group before we decide.
basic
She tried to feel out her boss about a possible promotion.
basic
We need to feel out if they are interested.
basic
He casually tried to feel out his friends about the new plan.
natural
I’m going to feel out the situation before making any decisions.
natural
Sometimes you have to feel out your audience before a big presentation.
natural