Play It By Ear Idiom: Meaning, Definition, History & Modern Uses

The idiom “play it by ear” is a commonly used phrase in English that means to decide on a course of action as events unfold, rather than planning things out in advance. It suggests a flexible, spontaneous approach, assessing a situation as it develops before choosing how to react or respond.

Definition & Meaning

The Cambridge Dictionary defines “play it by ear” as:

“To decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than to make decisions in advance.”

The phrase implies dealing with something in an impromptu, unrehearsed way, without rigid adherence to set plans. When you “play it by ear”, you take a casual, unstructured approach, seeing how things pan out at the moment before making your next move.

You go with the flow, gauging the circumstances as they come up and basing your actions on your immediate observations and instincts. It’s the opposite of having a fixed strategy that you stick to no matter what.

History & Origins

The idiom “play it by ear” originated in music. The expression comes from the idea of musicians playing a piece from memory or by following musical notation on the spot, without prior rehearsal. Jazz musicians would often improvise tunes on the fly, playing melodies and harmonies extemporaneously as inspiration struck them. This required attentive listening and quick reaction, relying on one’s musical intuition.

The phrase evolved into a more general metaphor meaning to do something in an impromptu, spur-of-the-moment way, without a set plan. By the mid-20th century, “play it by ear” had entered mainstream English usage to refer to any unplanned, improvisational approach based on spontaneous intuition.

Modern Usage

Today, “play it by ear” is used broadly in everyday speech and writing. Some examples of how it’s commonly employed:

• I don’t have set plans for my vacation yet. I’ll just play it by ear.
• We haven’t finalized the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting. We’ll have to play it by ear.
• I’m not sure if I’ll have time to stop by this afternoon. I’ll play it by ear and see how my day goes.
• The project deadline is approaching but we still have a lot of work left. We’ll have to play it by ear and see how much we can get done before time runs out.
• The weather forecast says rain is likely today, but it’s hard to predict. I guess I’ll just play it by ear and bring an umbrella in case.

The phrase is useful when you want to convey flexibility, spontaneity, and taking things as they come. It implies not wanting to be locked into rigid plans and being open to handling situations at the moment.

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Practice Exercise

1. Choose the correct sentence using the idiom “play it by ear.”

1. She followed the recipe exactly to bake the cake.
2. He decided to play it by ear and choose the dish based on the restaurant’s specialties.
3. The musician practiced the piano piece repeatedly to perfect it.
4. The team created a detailed project timeline to meet the deadlines.

2. Which scenario best illustrates the use of “play it by ear”?

1. A student strictly adheres to a daily study schedule.
2. A traveler follows a detailed itinerary during a guided tour.
3. A group of friends plans to explore local attractions without a fixed plan.
4. An athlete rigorously trains for a marathon using a specific training program.

3. In which situation would “play it by ear” be an appropriate response?

1. Following a step-by-step recipe to cook a meal
2. Rehearsing a speech multiple times before delivering it
3. Making spontaneous decisions about sightseeing during a vacation
4. Creating a structured plan for a team project

4. Choose the sentence that correctly uses the idiom “play it by ear.”

1. The scientist meticulously followed the experimental procedure to ensure accurate results.
2. She preferred to play it by ear, meticulously rehearsing her lines for the play.
3. Without a fixed agenda, they decided to play it by ear and explore the city freely.
4. The team strictly adhered to the project timeline, meeting all the deadlines.

5. Which scenario exemplifies the essence of “playing it by ear”?

1. A chess player follows a well-thought-out strategy during a match.
2. An entrepreneur carefully plans and executes each step of a business launch.
3. A group of adventurers sets out on a journey without a predefined route, embracing spontaneity.
4. A mathematician solves complex equations systematically, arriving at accurate solutions.

Answers

Here are the answers to the Multiple-Choice Questions:

1. b) He decided to play it by ear and choose the dish based on the restaurant’s specialties.
2. c) A group of friends plans to explore local attractions without a fixed plan.
3. c) Making spontaneous decisions about sightseeing during a vacation
4. c) Without a fixed agenda, they decided to play it by ear and explore the city freely.
5. c) A group of adventurers sets out on a journey without a predefined route, embracing spontaneity.

Check out 9 IELTS Speaking IDIOMS for BAND 9 SCORE in 2023

Conclusion

The significance of idioms in the IELTS exam cannot be overstated. Incorporating idioms into your speaking and writing tasks can elevate your score and make your communication more engaging and precise. However, it’s essential to use them judiciously and ensure they fit naturally within the context.

So, as you prepare for the IELTS exam, don’t underestimate the power of idioms in showcasing your language skills and making a lasting impression on the examiners.

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