find out/see how the land lies

to get information about a situation before making decisions or taking action.

I thought I'd better call my mother and see how the land lies before inviting myself home for the weekend.

• pick someone to pieces
• pick someone up
• would give you the shirt off back
• would give you the shirt off their back
• would just as soon
• would not be caught dead
• would not do something for all the tea in China
• would not for all the tea in China
• wouldn't be caught dead
• wouldn't be seen dead
• wouldn't dream of
• wouldn't dream of doing something
• wouldn't harm a fly
• wouldn't hurt a fly
• wouldn't know if it hit in the face
• wouldn't know if it hit you in the face
• wouldn't know something if it hit in the face
• wouldn't know something if it hit you in the face
• wouldn't say boo to a goose
• would see in hell before would
• would see in hell before would do something
• would see in hell before you would
• would see in hell before you would do something
• would see someone in hell before would
• would see someone in hell before would do something