IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishwing it
Meaning: To improvise; to do something without planning or preparation.
Example: “I forgot my notes and had to wing it.”
Equivalents in other languages
Finnish: Vetää lonkalta Literally: To pull from the hip
Origin: Dating from the late 19th century, wing it was originally a theatrical term. Impromptu (unprepared) actors would quickly look over their speaking lines before going onto stage and then someone in the wings (behind the stage curtains) would prompt the actors on their exact lines.
More English idioms
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- Take the wrong sow by the ear To go after the wrong target, or blame the wrong person.
- have the blues To feel sad or depressed.
- stand someone up To fail to show up for a date or appointment, leaving the other person waiting.
- have bigger fish to fry To have more important things to deal with.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
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