play it by ear

P p

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [pley it bahy eer]
- /pleɪ ɪt baɪ ɪər/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [pley it bahy eer]
- /pleɪ ɪt baɪ ɪər/

Definitions of play it by ear words

noun play it by ear a dramatic composition or piece; drama. 1
noun play it by ear a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 1
noun play it by ear exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. 1
noun play it by ear fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. 1
noun play it by ear a pun. 1
noun play it by ear the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. 1

See all 87 definitions of play it by ear

Information block about the term

Origin of play it by ear

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; (noun) Middle English pleye, Old English plega; (v.) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Play it by ear

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Play it by ear

play it by ear popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

play it by ear usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for play it by ear

verb play it by ear

blueprinting — a process of photographic printing, used chiefly in copying architectural and mechanical drawings, which produces a white line on a blue background.
crafted — an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill: the craft of a mason.
crafting — an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill: the craft of a mason.
devise — If you devise a plan, system, or machine, you have the idea for it and design it.
dope out — any thick liquid or pasty preparation, as a lubricant, used in preparing a surface.

All 10 Synonyms of play it by ear