Page 36 - Conversation 3

(18) Sound out

Introduction

If you want to find out what someone else thinks, you can ask them questions. Sometimes you
can do it without them noticing. We have an expression you can use to describe this.

https://www.bbc.com/learningenglish/thai/features/the-english-we-speak_2023/ep-231120

Transcript

Phil
Welcome to The English We Speak, with me Phil...

Feifei
And me, Feifei.

Phil
We have a phrase that is about trying to find out what someone thinks – often without them
knowing – it’s ‘sound out’.

Feifei
‘Sound out’. How do we use it?

Phil
I've got an idea for a new podcast. I need to sound the boss out about it.

Feifei
Why don't you just ask him? What do you mean by 'sound him out'?

Phil
I'm going to ask some questions to see if he's looking for something new, and what he might be
looking for – then I'll be able to tell if my idea could work, or if should change it a bit. I don't
want to just ask because I'm not sure if my idea is a good one or a bad one yet.

Feifei
So, we can use 'sound someone out' when you're trying to find out what someone thinks
indirectly – maybe we don't want to let people know exactly what we're thinking.

Phil
If you're coming up with a plan, it's a good idea to sound out what the people it will affect think
about it. Then you can adjust your plan before presenting it to them. Have a listen to these
examples.

Examples