What is the meaning of th idiom play it by ear?

Answer 1

The original, or literal, meaning is to play a song on an instrument without reading a music score. You know what the tune sounds like, and if you are good enough on the instrument, you can make it come out all right.

In some other setting, it means you go in without a detailed plan, and adapt as things happen. Visiting Another Country, for example--some people would sign up for a guided tour, others would play it by ear, or get there, look around, and then decide what to check out in more detail.

Answer 2

To "play it by ear" is to go into a situation without a predetermined plan of action, choosing instead to determine a course of action as needed, based on experiences encountered.

The phrase is a reference to a musician who does not read sheet music, but instead knows what notes to play based on their sound.

Answer 3

Music can be played, by a trained musician from a written text. However people with no formal musical training can also play music, by learning the sounds they hear and replicating them. This is called playing by ear - it means you are not an "expert" but are muddling along fine.

Answer 4

It means to play something by listening to it instead of by reading the music.