прощупать почву(перен.: In my work, I aim to "feel out" the lay of the land and interpret what a person or group is bringing to the session.Рина Грант)
сориентироваться на местности(I made sure to arrive a few minutes early so that I could get the lay of the land, find my way around. • First I look in Google Earth so that I can get the lay of the land digitally before we go out.4uzhoj)