Put out feelers

Meaning

Make tentative inquiries to gauge opinion.

Usage

Used when testing the waters before commitment.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Animal feelers sense the surrounding area before taking action.

Modern business phrase from the mid-20th century.