English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Play it by ear
Meaning
The idiom "play it by ear" means to go with the flow, improvise, or take cues from a situation as it develops. It suggests a lack of preplanned strategy and instead reliance on one's intuition and adaptability in response to changing circumstances. This expression may also imply a willingness to take risks or act spontaneously.
Usage
- She decided to play it by ear and see how the meeting went before presenting her ideas.
- He was nervous about his first marathon, but he played it by ear and ended up completing it in record time.
- The band didn't have a set list for their concert; they just played it by ear based on audience requests.
- When the power went out during her presentation, she had to play it by ear and continue speaking without slides.
- He was initially hesitant to try sushi, but once he tasted it, he decided to play it by ear and try different types of rolls.
Roots and History
The origin of the phrase "play it by ear" is uncertain, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century. It may come from the idea of playing music by ear, without reading sheet music, or from a more figurative sense of following one's instincts and responding to situations as they arise. The meaning of the idiom may have evolved over time to reflect changes in cultural attitudes towards spontaneity and improvisation.
Synonyms in English
- Go with the flow
- Act on instinct
- Take it from there
- Improvise
- Play by heart
Synonyms in other languages
- French: "Suivre son instinct" (to follow one's instinct)
- German: "Spielen auf dem Ehrlichkeitstag" (to play on the day of honesty, meaning to act spontaneously)
- Italian: "Farsi dire" (to tell you what to do, meaning to rely on someone else's guidance)
- Spanish: "Hacer lo que parece" (to do what seems right, meaning to act intuitively)
- Portuguese: "Fazer a sua maneira" (to do things your own way, meaning to be independent and adaptable).