by ear
The phrase "by ear" is used in both musical and idiomatic contexts, highlighting skills in auditory learning and spontaneous decision-making.
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🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Music
(informal)To play an instrument or sing by listening and replicating sounds without using written music.
Example
- She learned to play the piano by ear, never needing sheet music.
- Many jazz musicians can improvise solos by ear.
B2General
(idiom, informal)To handle a situation spontaneously without prior planning.
Example
- We don't have a plan for tonight; let's just play it by ear.
- He decided to play it by ear and see what opportunities came up during the trip.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "by ear":
in the earplay by earby handear to the groundinner earlisten inall earshear things