1
general::
Grope, reach for with one's hands, as in It was pitch dark, and I felt for the doorknob. [Early 1700s] 1. feel for someone. Sympathize with or feel sorry for someone, as in Tom was so upset that I felt for him. This usage was put as feel with by Shakespeare: "It resounds as if it felt with Scotland" (Macbeth, 4:3). Both senses of feel for are present in the somewhat sarcastic I feel for you but I can't quite reach you, meaning "Too bad, but I don't really feel sorry for you." 2.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): *a feel for something
a natural or learned ability to do something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~.) • I will do better with this work as soon as I get a feel for it. • He doesn’t have a feel for this kind of careful work., Phrase(s): feel for someone
to feel the emotional pain that someone else is feeling; to empathize or sympathize with someone. • I really feel for you. I’m so sorry it turned out this way. • Fred felt for Dave, but there was nothing he could do for him.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs