play by ear
Idioms-
Play a musical instrument without the aid of written music, as in By the time she was four, she could play a dozen songs by ear . [Late 1600s]
-
play it by ear . Proceed gradually, depending on the circumstances; improvise. For example, I'm not sure how much we should say about our plans, so let's play it by ear . [Mid-1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was plunked before a piano at age 3 and by 5 could play by ear.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Goolsbee said the Fed would need to "play by ear" whether any further rate increases are needed.
From Reuters • Sep. 25, 2023
So I just taught myself more in church how to play by ear.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 2, 2023
In his teaching Tony often encourages his students to play by ear, without sheet music.
From BBC • Sep. 9, 2021
Could she play by ear, like he did, or did she only read notes?
From "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
