feel [sth] out, feel out [sth]vtr phrasal sepphrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game."
(ascertain nature of situation)
试探…
摸清…
The President travelled to the provinces to feel out the mood of the people.