習語044:Play it by ear 見機行事

Meaning/Usage: To decide to do something as the situation develops; choosing to deal with a situation as more events unfold. 隨著形勢的發(fā)展而決定做某事；隨著更多事件的展開選擇處理一種情況。

Explanation: The original meaning is to play music without using a score or music sheet to look at. Just as a musician will play something unplanned without looking at something, this idiom is to do something unplanned depending on the situation.

"I'll have to play it by ear because I don't know how long they want me to work."
"We'll have to play it by ear for next Friday because everything is uncertain."
"Should we plan something for this Saturday or should we play it by ear?"

A: "What are you doing next weekend?"
B: "Nothing. Did you want to do something?"
A: "Yeah, but I might have to give my dad a ride to the train station. I don't know the exact time yet."
B: "Let's play it by ear then. Just call me when you find out for sure."

Other Common Sentences

"I don't have any reservations tonight so let's just wing it."
"We'll just do things as they come along."