play it by ear meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to play it by ear" idiom?

Answer 1

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 2

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Playing it by ear can be difficult and nerve-wracking.
 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

Imperative:

Play it by ear.
Play the meeting by ear
Play the negotiations by ear
 

Play it by ear can be used when there is no method to predict a future situation.  When the future situation occurs, then reactions and plans are made in that future moment according to the situation.
You can have a general idea of what a negotiation meeting will be about and the general direction that negotiations may take but it may be difficult to predict the other team's reactions and strategies to inevitably one must play the negotiations by ear.
 

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 2:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
A husband and wife are talking about an important doctor's appointment they have the next day ...

Husband:  "What time do you want to leave in the morning?"
Wife:  "How bad will traffic be?"
Husband:  "Tomorrow is Wednesday so it shouldn't be so bad."
Wife:  "What route will we take?"
Husband:   "Well, that is hard to say just now.  We'll have to listen to the traffic report on the radio and then play it by ear."
Wife:  "OK.  Just remember how important this appointment is."

Answer 5

Idiom Scenario 1:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
Two coworkers are talking about an upcoming meeting with their boss ...

Worker 1:  "Do you know what the meeting is about?"
Worker 2:  "I have no idea."
Worker 1:  "Man, I hate not being able to prepare.  How will we know what to do or say in the meeting?"
Worker 2:  "There's no way to prepare for the unknown.  We'll simply have to play it by ear."

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
"to play it by ear"

to react to and respond to a situation without having a preconceived plan
 

Synonyms: adapt, adjust, ad-lib, arrange, concoct, contrive, devise, extemporize, fake, fine-tune, fit, improvise, invent, make, modify, tailor
 
 

 

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.




♬ For the musical definition ... play by ear ♬