Page 37 - Conversation 3

Before we start working on anything new, we should sound out what our customers think about
our existing products

They sounded me out about the job before they actually offered it to me.

I sounded out some of her friends about what she liked before asking her out.

Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the
phrase ‘sound someone out'. This is where you ask someone questions, sometimes indirectly, to
see what they think about something.

Phil
It can be indirect, but it isn't always.

Feifei
No. Didn't you use to live in Oxford? I'm going there soon. I need to sound you out about the
best places to go.

Phil
I can give you all the details! You keep saying that the restaurants are great near where you live
– I need to sound you out about the best ones.

Feifei
I also need to sound you out about what we're going to cover in the next episode – because we've
come to the end of this one. See you next time! Bye!

Phil
Bye