To do something 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.
To play a song according to how it sounds, rather than from a written score.
To take ones next move when one is already faced with a situation, to devise or improvise things
Jane never prepared her demo; she always plays things by ear.
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Nearby phrases
Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to play it by ear
Play Fast and Looseplay first fiddleplay for loveplay for timeplay gamesplay gooseberryplay hardballplay hardballplay hob withplay hookeyplay hookyplay inplay inplay in Peoriaplay into someone's handsplay it coolplay it safeplay it straightplay it straightplay it straightplay offplay offplay offplay Old Gooseberryplay Old Gooseberryplay old harryplay old harryplay onplay onplay on
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"play it by ear." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/idioms/play-it-by-ear>.
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