wing it

Idioms  

1. Improvise, as in The interviewer had not read the author's book; he was just winging it. This expression comes from the theater, where it alludes to an actor studying his part in the wings (the areas to either side of the stage) because he has been suddenly called on to replace another. First recorded in 1885, it eventually was extended to other kinds of improvisation based on unpreparedness.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wing it

In other words, this isn’t the summer to wing it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

While Darcy Graham's dancing feet threaten on one wing, it was Duhan van der Merwe's power that shrugged off Ellis Mee on the other, creating space for Huw Jones on the outside.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2025

If you want to maintain any sort of surprise, you just have to wing it sometimes and hope your instincts are right.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2023

"I'm going to try to get as ready as I can. You can't just wing it."

From Reuters ● Oct. 13, 2023

“I’ll adjust the chakra on Audrey and wing it to you.”

From "Educated" by Tara Westover