English

Verb

play by ear

1. (transitive and intransitive, of music) To play guided by one's memory of the sound or in imitation of other performers, rather than from a written score.
2. (transitive and intransitive, idiomatic) To do by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur.

   If they ask for something we didn't prepare, we will have to play it by ear.

Synonyms

• (do by guessing, intuition, etc, reacting to events as they occur): fly by the seat of one's pants, wing it

Translations