feel out

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal way to describe trying to find out information, usually by gauging someone's reactions. Example: I asked a few questions to feel out my boss's opinion on the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He will have to feel out his recovery.

The Washington Post

"Only I know how I feel out there.

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel Out, dreadfully Out", the young lady was saying.

The New Yorker

"Do you feel Out?" "No", said the male sheep dog.

The New Yorker

He tried to find his arm slot and feel out his off-speed pitches.

The New York Times - Sports

"Feel out" your workplace.

WikiHow

Now its your time to "feel out" the seller.

WikiHow

Use this punch to feel out your opponent's style.

WikiHow

Feel out what you have been talking about.

WikiHow

If you go for vacation, do your best to feel out the local flavor.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I might feel out-of-place or unwanted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the object either between the words or after the particle, though 'feel out the situation' is more common than 'feel the situation out' when the object is long.

Common error

Do not confuse the phrasal verb "feel out" with sentences where 'feel' is followed by the prepositional phrase 'out of'. For example, 'feeling out of place' describes a state of discomfort, while "feel out" describes the action of investigating a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "feel out" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the base verb 'feel' and the adverbial particle 'out'. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used in the active voice to describe an agent performing a subtle or indirect investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel out" is a robust idiomatic phrasal verb that serves a critical role in describing social and tactical navigation. Ludwig AI identifies it as a common tool in journalism and instructional content for expressing the act of gathering intelligence or evaluating reactions. While the search results show a high frequency of 'out of' constructions (such as 'feel out of place'), the phrasal verb "feel out" itself is distinct and highly useful for writers looking to convey a sense of cautious, intelligent exploration. It is supported by top-tier sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, making it a reliable choice for professional yet accessible English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound out

Focuses more on testing someone's reaction through conversation

test the waters

Uses a more metaphorical approach to describe a preliminary trial

gauge

More technical or precise in measurement of a situation

size up

Implies forming a judgment about the strength or value of something

probe

Suggests a deeper, more intentional investigation

get a sense of

Focuses on the subjective impression gathered

assess

More formal and systematic evaluation

evaluate

A formal academic or business alternative

investigate

Direct and formal word for finding out facts

explore

Suggests a broader look at possibilities

FAQs

How to use "feel out" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe testing a situation, such as "I need to "feel out" the room before I start the presentation."

What is the difference between "feel out" and "sound out"?

While both involve testing reactions, "sound out" usually implies asking questions directly, whereas "feel out" is more about general observation and gathering cues.

Is "feel out" appropriate for business emails?

It is generally safe for internal or casual business communication, but for high-stakes formal letters, you might prefer "gauge" or "assess".

What can I say instead of "feel out"?

Depending on your context, you can say "test the waters", "get a sense of", or "size up".