Meaning & use
feelers
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The sensory organs, such as antennae, used by an insect or other creature to touch and sense its surroundings; also, a cautious remark made to test others' opinions.
See it in a sentence
The ant waved its feelers as it explored the crumb.
Before announcing the merger, the executives put out feelers to gauge shareholder reaction.
A note on using this word
The idiom "put out feelers" comes directly from how insects use their antennae to cautiously sense their environment before proceeding.
Words with a similar meaning
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Another way to use it
2. noun
A cautious, indirect approach or question meant to gauge another's opinion before committing to a course of action.
She sent a few feelers to old colleagues before applying for the job.
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