by ear

by ear {adv. phr.}

1. By sound, without ever reading the printed music of the piece being played.

The church choir sang the hymns by ear.

2. Waiting to see what will happen.

I don't want to plan now; let's just play it by ear.

Categories:

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

To section: B

Subscribe to: American Idioms

✉

Our RSS-channels

Show All

See as well

play by ear

[play by ear] {v. phr.} 1. To play a musical instrument by remembering the tune, not by reading music. * /Mary does not know how to read music. She plays […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

sound effects

[sound effects] {n.} The noises made to imitate real sounds in a play, movie, or program. * /Greg agreed to plan the sound effects for the class play./ * /The […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

sound off

[sound off] {v.} 1. To say your name or count "One! Two! Three! Four!" as you march. - Used as orders in U.S. military service. * /"Sound off!" said the […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

Igor Stravinsky

The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better able to praise him than the building of the church and all its decoration; it […] www.sky-net-eye.com

Recent updates

по-барабану

[по-барабану] {adv. phr.} {informal} {colloquial} {slang} {used by youth} [po-bara`banu] Not caring abt. smt. * […]

in order to

[in order to] or [so as to] {conj.} For the purpose of; to. - Used with an infinitive. * /In order to follow the buffalo, […]

nervous prostration

[nervous prostration] {n.} An illness of the mind that makes you feel very tired, worried, and bored, and that often causes […]

Yiddish curse

Leeches should drink him dry.