play it by ear
This page is about the idiom play it by ear
Meaning
If you play it by ear, you don't plan ahead but you do whatever seems best at the time depending on the situation.
For example
- I like those comedy shows where they play it by ear and just say whatever they like and do whatever they like.
- Jean says he's not sure what goes on in the meetings, so he'll just play it by ear and see what happens.
Origin: From music, in which playing by ear means playing without reading from sheet music.
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Contributor: Matt Errey