B2idiominformaldecisionsIELTS-friendly
play it by ear
USUK
to decide what to do as things happen, without making a plan first
From music: playing a tune without written notes. 'Let's play it by ear' is a friendly way to avoid fixing a plan.
In context
We don't know what the weather will be like, so let's play it by ear.
I haven't planned the trip in detail; I'm going to play it by ear.
More idioms about decisions
- a Catch-22a situation you can't escape because each solution depends on the other
- a change of hearta change in your opinion or plan, usually towards a kinder or different view
- a double-edged swordsomething that has both good and bad effects
- a fait accomplisomething already decided or done that others must now accept
- a foregone conclusiona result that is certain before it happens