Social (General)
Let's play it by ear
When someone doesn't want to commit to plans
Literal Meaning
To perform music by improvisation rather than by reading written music
Actual Meaning
Let's not commit to plans and decide later based on circumstances
Examples in Context

Friend: 'Let's play it by ear.' (Translation: I'm not committing)

Helpful Tips
  • 1Flexible but uncommitted
  • 2May mean they're not enthusiastic
  • 3Hard to plan around
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
wing it
go with the flow
improvise
take it as it comes
Related Phrases
Click to explore related phrases in our collection
It is what it is
Asking for a friend