play it by ear
Meaning: To go along with a situation as it develops before deciding what to do; to do something without prior planning.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: The expression probably originates from the idea of playing a piece of music by ear, i.e., not reading the music as one plays but simply listening to the piece, picking out the notes by ear and then playing it.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- poker face — An expressionless face; a face that reveals nothing of one's feelings or thoughts.
- put one's best foot forward — To try to make the best possible impression.
- put one's finger on it — To identify or understand something properly.
- put one's foot down — To be firm and unyielding about something.
- put one's money where one's mouth is — To support what one is saying by risking or spending money (sentences 1 and 2); to demons…
- rack one's brain — To search through one's mind intensively; to try very hard to think of something.
More English idioms
- rule of thumb — A rough guide; an unwritten or customary rule based on experience or practice.
- save face — To maintain/not maintain a degree of pride in a shameful situation.
- see eye to eye — To agree.
- set someone's teeth on edge — To irritate.
- shake a leg — To hurry.
- shot in the arm — Something that stimulates, boosts, or renews people's interest.
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