English Explanatory Dictionary

play by ear

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To play guided by one's musical perception and intuition, rather than from a written score.
  2. To do by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur, often with risk of negative outcomes; to improvise.

Pronunciation

En-au-play by ear.ogg

Word forms

play by ear plays by ear playing by ear played by ear

Synonyms

fly by the seat of one's pants make it up as one goes along wing it

Related words

ad hoc impromptu
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