Play it by ear

(To make decisions as one goes along)

The origin of this idiom is from music, where musicians are expected to play music by following the sound rather than reading from sheet music.

I'm not sure how many guests will show up, so let's just play it by ear and set up extra tables if needed.

📖 Meanings

1.
We didn't have a detailed itinerary for the trip; we decided to play it by ear and explore whatever caught our interest.
2.
The meeting agenda is flexible, so we can play it by ear and address any urgent issues that arise during the discussion.
3.
I don't have a specific plan for the weekend; I'll just play it by ear and see where the day takes me.
4.
It's a casual gathering, so let's play it by ear and decide on the activities based on the weather and group preferences.

1.
Playing it by ear implies a flexible approach to handling unpredictable events or circumstances without a fixed plan.
2.
Playing it by ear is about being spontaneous and responsive to the immediate needs or requirements of a situation.
3.
The phrase suggests dealing with a situation as it develops, similar to how a musician might improvise during a performance.
4.
The idiom emphasizes the ability to adapt to changing conditions or make decisions based on the current situation.