play it by ear
CulturalExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We'll play it by ear, see how things work out.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2023
“As long as he’s in relatively good shape, you work him in and get him playing, and you play it by ear and eyes and see where he is after that.”
From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2023
“We’ll just play it by ear every day. And that’s the thing. And yes, I know I’m not going to rush back before I have to,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2023
“However, unlike the past, we will have to play it by ear because the course of our day depends upon how Mom feels.”
From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2022
At times I forget to tell you things and just play it by ear.
From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez
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.
