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Play by Ear

What Does "Play by Ear" Mean?

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"Play by ear" is an English idiom. It means "to make decisions or take actions spontaneously, without planning or following a strict set of rules or instructions."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "play by ear" used in a sentence:
  • We didn't have a specific agenda, so we decided to play it by ear and see where the day took us.
  • The musician prefers to play by ear during live performances, improvising melodies and arrangements.
  • When traveling, they like to play it by ear and explore new places without a fixed itinerary.
meaning for play by ear

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Play by Ear" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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