play by ear

play something by ear 

1. to be able to play a piece of music after just listening to it a few times, without looking at the notes. I can play "Stardust" by ear. Some people can play Chopin's music by ear.

2. and play by ear to play a musical instrument well, without formal training. John can play the piano by ear. If I could play by ear, I wouldn't have to take lessons—or practice!

3. to improvise; to decide one's next steps after one is already involved in a situation. If we go into the meeting unprepared, we'll have to play everything by ear. He never prepared his presentations. He always played things by ear.

See also: ear, play

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play something by ear also play (it) by ear

1. to play a piece of music after hearing it and without written music My brother can play anything on the piano by ear.

2. to deal with a situation as it develops and without a plan I'm not sure if I can go bowling or not, I'll just have to play it by ear.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs: I write by ear, and rarely with any exact notion of how I want it to come out.

See also: ear, play