1
general::
Phrase(s): put out (some) feelers (on someone or something)
to arrange to find out about something in an indirect manner. • I put out some feelers on Betty to try and find out what is going on. • I will put out feelers on what’s going on with June.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Discreetly try to learn something, as in They put out feelers to see if anyone was interested in buying the company. This idiom alludes to an animal's feelers, such as antennae or tentacles, used to find food. [First half of 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms