прощупывать почву

• ПРОЩУПЫВАТЬ/ПРОЩУПАТЬ (НАЩУПЫВАТЬ/НАЩУПАТЬ) ПОЧВУ (для чего) coll

[VP; subj: human]

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⇒ to (try to) find out what the situation is, what the circumstances are (usu. in order to see whether they are conducive to the realization of one's goals):

- X прощупывает почву{{}}≈ X is testing the waters;

- X is putting out feelers;

- X is feeling (checking) out the situation;

- X is getting the lay of the land;

- X is exploring (testing) the ground;

- [in limited contexts] X is sounding (feeling) person Y out.

     ♦ Он хочет выяснить, поддержим ли мы его, поэтому и задает столько вопросов. Прощупывает почву. He wants to find out whether or not we'll support him, that's why he's asking so many questions Hes testing the waters