ALL meanings of play by ear
play by ear
P p - verb with object play by ear to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play cowboys and Indians. 1
- verb with object play by ear to perform on (a musical instrument). 1
- verb with object play by ear to perform (music) on an instrument. 1
- verb with object play by ear to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: to play a tape; to play the radio. 1
- verb with object play by ear to do or perform: You shouldn't play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage. 1
- verb with object play by ear to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch. 1
- verb with object play by ear to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain. 1
- verb with object play by ear to operate or cause to operate, especially continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire. 1
- verb with object play by ear to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line. 1
- verb with object play by ear to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), especially prominently: Play the flood photos on page one. 1
- verb with object play by ear to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.). 1
- verb without object play by ear to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation. 1
- verb without object play by ear to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously. 1
- verb without object play by ear to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often followed by with). 1
- verb without object play by ear to take part or engage in a game. 1
- verb without object play by ear to take part in a game for stakes; gamble. 1
- verb without object play by ear to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair. 1
- verb without object play by ear to act on or as if on the stage; perform. 1
- verb without object play by ear to perform on a musical instrument. 1
- verb without object play by ear (of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening. 1
- verb without object play by ear (of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night. 1
- verb without object play by ear to be performed or shown: What's playing at the movie theater around the corner? 1
- verb without object play by ear to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well. 1
- verb without object play by ear Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator's proposal play with the public? 1
- verb without object play by ear to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism. 1
- verb without object play by ear to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air. 1
- verb without object play by ear to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors. 1
- verb without object play by ear to operate continuously or with repeated action. 1
- verb without object play by ear Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play. 1
- idioms play by ear bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial. 1
- idioms play by ear come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We're a small new business, but we came to play. 1
- idioms play by ear in / out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play. 1
- idioms play by ear make a play for, Informal. to try to attract, especially sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend. to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets. 1
- idioms play by ear play ball. ball1 (def 25). 1
- idioms play by ear play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself. 1
- idioms play by ear play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct. 1
- idioms play by ear played out, exhausted; weary. out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York. used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced. 1
- idioms play by ear play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, especially to employ deception to gain one's ends: to play fast and loose with someone's affections. 1
- idioms play by ear play for time, to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision: Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time. 1
- idioms play by ear play hardball. hardball (def 4). 1
- idioms play by ear play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, especially an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands. Also, play into (someone's) hands. 1
- idioms play by ear play it by ear, to improvise, especially in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors: If you can't come up with a plan, we'll just have to play it by ear. 1
- idioms play by ear play it safe, to act cautiously; avoid risk or danger: She usually plays it safe on the red carpet, wearing simple, classic designs. Also, play safe. 1
- idioms play by ear play one's cards. card1 (def 22). 1
- idioms play by ear play politics. politics (def 8). 1
- idioms play by ear play possum. possum (def 3). 1
- idioms play by ear play second fiddle. second fiddle (def 1). 1
- idioms play by ear play the field. field (def 39). 1
- idioms play by ear play the game. game1 (def 27). 1
- idioms play by ear play up to, Informal. to attempt to impress in order to gain someone's favor: Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates. 1