English / idiom
Play by Ear
MEANING IN ENGLISH
To deal with a situation spontaneously and make decisions as events unfold rather than following a rigid plan
In context
01
Since we do not know how many volunteers will arrive, let us play it by ear.
02
The schedule might change unexpectedly, so the team will have to play by ear.
Synonyms
improvise,ad-lib,wing it
Antonyms
plan ahead,predetermine,follow a script
Collocations
play things by ear,prefer to play by ear,forced to play by ear