Grammar fix
feel someone out
gauge one person
To carefully find out what one person thinks or intends without asking them directly.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I’ll feel Maya out about the promotion before I mention it to the rest of the team.
Before I ask my flatmate to move out, I’d probably feel her out and see whether she already has another place in mind.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I'll feel him up about lending us the car.
Say: I'll feel him out about lending us the car.
'Feel someone up' means touching them sexually. For checking opinions it's always 'out'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Quietly check what someone thinks first
Whose viewGeneral reactionOne person
test the watersTentatively checking reactions before committing to a proposal.
feel someone outYou're here · Especially American: cautiously finding out someone's views or intentions.
sound outCarefully asking someone about their views before proceeding.