sound out to try to find out what someone thinks (about something). 试探 Sound him out gradually. Make sure it is what he really wants. 要慢慢地打探他的口风，要确保是他的心里话。 I am trying to sound out if he'd like to work for us. 我正在试探他，看他是否愿意来为我们工作。 We'll have to sound out the opposition before we decide what action to take. 在我们采取行动以前，我们得探探反对派的口气。