feel around

feel around (for someone or something)

1. To grope around for something, especially in the dark or a similar situation where one's vision is limited. I had to feel around for the light switch for a minute before I was able to find it. I'm feeling around under the couch, but I don't think your phone is down here, Mom.
2. To attempt to gain knowledge, insight, or information (about someone or something), especially in uncertain, indirect, or surreptitious ways. It's clear that the company is feeling around for an excuse to get them off the hook for the disaster. We're still feeling around for people who might be interested in investing in our new product. I've spent a lot of time feeling around since the accident, but there are still no clear answers about what happened.
See also: around, feel, someone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

feel around (for someone or something)

 and feel about (for someone or something)
to try to find someone or something by feel [rather than sight]. He felt around for the soap in the bathtub. She felt about for the dog at the foot of the bed, but it wasn't there. Gerald felt about for a pencil.
See also: around, feel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

feel around

v.
To explore something by the sense of touch, especially when seeking an item: If you feel around in the sock drawer, you'll probably find your missing earrings.
See also: around, feel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • feel around (for someone or something)
  • fish around
  • find way around
  • around (one's) ears
  • get (someone) around the table
  • get around the table
  • gaze around at (someone or something)
  • crowd around
  • crowd around (someone or something)
  • forage
References in classic literature
It's simply what I feel around, the whole atmosphere of the place, the whole atmosphere you seem to create around you with these brutes Sarson and Meekins; and those white-faced, smooth-tongued Marconi men of yours, who can't talk decent English; and the post-office man, who can't look you in the face; and Miss Price, who looks as though she were one of the creatures, too, of your torture chamber.
The Vanished Messenger
"Everyone has fitted in really well and there is a really good feel around the place at the moment.
Sinclair's impressed by spirit
"Also, there's a great feel around the country and everyone will be buzzing."
Joe: Sledge away, guys
Evertonians did not look forward to going to Goodison, it had become a chore, the team were not good to watch and the feel around the place was toxic.
What a difference a year makes; OUT OF THE BLUE Michael Ball FORMER BLUES DEFENDER TACKLES THE TALKING POINTS
"Our focus is on creating a community feel around the entire building by designing distinctive areas for people to meet and collaborate," said Jeff Siegel of ML7.
Repositioning underway at new look Hub 211 property
Fantastic family feel around the place which is refreshing in the Premier League with all the money that is around."
AFC BOURNEMOUTH; Town Premier League fixtures 2017-2018
Keep the gloves and scarves handy as winds from an Arctic direction will make it feel around 7C at midday on Thursday and 4C on Friday.
North East weather: Balmy mild conditions and strong winds soon to be replaced by Arctic gales; Temperatures will hover around 16C on Tuesday but by Thursday and Friday the wind chill factor will make it feel around 4C
There is a very positive feel around Carlton and as a group we know the sky is the limit for us this season."
TUOHY AIMS TO STEP UP AT CARLTON; AFL LATEST
Blinded by smoke Paul Caisley, 30, manager at Grainger Games in the Metrocentre, who lives next door to Mr Stappard and taxi driver Mr Fenwick, 57, who lives opposite, crawled into the terraced property using their hands to feel around for the pensioner.
Fighting for life; NORTH TODAY: RESCUE
Hughton also feels that being appointed manager and the club's removal from the market has helped bring a more relaxed feel around United's Benton base, with players now aware of TURN TO PAGE 70
'Feel-good factor' after late winner
"It's vitally important that we get through to the semi-finals and create a good feel around the club.
What we say about them
The need to forget our normal existence, to step outside the confines of our everyday lives and to experience an almost childlike wonder and enjoyment of what we see, hear and feel around us is something that is within us all and should be expressed without hesitation.
Theme
In one of these, Do you know how I feel around you, 2002, a wildly exaggerated shadow profile falls across Olofsson's passive form and flickers to life as her body rotates in space, suggesting physical and psychological possession.
Annee Olofsson. (Reviews: New York)
Last year, she said: "At 70, I'm in fine fettle for my age, sleep like a babe and feel around 12.
Fears for TV cook Jennifer
Feel around the breast to feel for any unusual lump, swelling, or mass under the skin of your right breast.
QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED BY WOMEN WITH IMPLANTS