play it by ear
PLAY it by EER
pleɪ ɪt baɪ ɪərListen
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Syllable breakdown
Dictionary meaning
to handle a situation spontaneously, responding flexibly to circumstances as they develop rather than following a predetermined plan or script; drawn from the musical practice of playing an instrument by ear — learning and reproducing music by listening and imitation rather than reading notation — the phrase describes a pragmatic, improvisatory approach to situations where the variables are too unpredictable or numerous for advance planning to be effective; playing it by ear carries connotations of confidence and adaptability, implying that the person has sufficient skill and presence of mind to respond appropriately to whatever the situation requires
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