Play by ear

Origin: The idiom 'Play by ear' originates from the world of music. Musicians who play by ear do so without sheet music, relying on their ability to pick up melodies and harmonies by listening. Over time, this concept was extended to other areas of life, symbolizing a flexible and improvisational approach to handling situations.

Examples

• When their original plan fell through, they decided to play by ear and figure out the details as the day went on.
• The CEO often plays by ear during meetings, adapting her strategies based on the team's input.
• During the road trip, they didn't book hotels in advance but chose to play by ear, finding places to stay along the way.
• His ability to play by ear made him an excellent leader in unpredictable environments.
• They had a rough outline for the project but decided to play by ear to accommodate any unexpected changes.
• She prefers to play by ear when cooking, adding ingredients based on taste rather than following a strict recipe.
• The weather was unpredictable, so they chose to play by ear rather than committing to specific plans.
• When presenting, he likes to play by ear, adjusting his speech based on the audience's reactions.
• Their spontaneous nature means they often play by ear when it comes to weekend plans.
• In negotiations, he found it beneficial to play by ear, allowing him to be more responsive to the other party's offers.