To play guided by one's memory of the sound, rather than from a written score.
To do by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur.
If they ask for something we didn't prepare, we will have to play it by ear.
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Nearby phrases
Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to play by ear
party and playplay a partplay alongplay aroundplay aroundplay aroundplay atplay atplay awayplay backplay ballplay ballplay ballPlay Both Ends Against the Middleplay both sides against the middlePlay Cat and Mouseplay downplay dumbplay dumbplay fast and looseplay fast and loosePlay Fast and Looseplay first fiddleplay for loveplay for timeplay gamesplay gooseberryplay hardballplay hardballplay hob with
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"play by ear." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/idioms/play-by-ear>.
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