take the pulse of

Also, feel the pulse of. Try to determine the intentions or sentiments of a person or group, as in These exit polls allegedly take the pulse of the voters, but I don't believe they're very meaningful. [First half of 1600s] Also see feel out.

Words nearby take the pulse of

take the initiative, take the law into one's hands, take the liberty of, take the load off, take the plunge, take the pulse of, take the rap, take the rough with the smooth, take the starch out of, take the sting out of, take the trouble