Hello everyone!
Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.
All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,
but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.
Is everyone ready? Let's begin.
Hello everyone!
Today's idiom is: play it by ear.
Play it by ear.
Alright, so let's try to imagine a situation in which we might use this idiom to help you remember what it might mean, okay?
So, you want to play baseball or basketball.
Okay, so if you play baseball, it's going to be outside and if you play basketball, it's going to be inside.
So, you want to play a sport and you're going to listen to the weather on the news.
So, you're going to use your ear.
And if the weather is going to be rainy, then we'll play basketball inside.
And if the weather is going to be sunny, then we'll play baseball outside.
So, we're going to listen with your ear and play baseball or basketball depending on the weather.
So, play it by ear.
Alright, so let's listen to 2 examples and try to get a better understanding of this idiom.
What time shall we meet on Sunday?
I don't know the exact time I'm gonna be finished with work, so let's play it by ear on when to meet!
Alright, so he's not sure what time he finishes, so they can't make an exact plan on what time to meet, they're going to play it by ear.
Okay, let's listen to another example.
Do you know if the Christmas party is set to be on the 24th?
I think we're still deciding on the day, so can you play it by ear and keep the dates open?
Alright, so they're not sure if the Christmas party will be on the 24th.
So, they're going to play it by ear.
Maybe it's on the 24th, maybe 25th, maybe 26th, so please keep the dates open and be flexible.
Hmm, okay, so this idiom, 'play it by ear', means to keep flexible in your plans
and maybe your plans will have to change a little bit, depending on another thing or situation.
For example, if you want to go on a picnic, but you have to play it by ear, depending on the weather.
If it's rainy, maybe you have to change the plans and go the next day.
So, you can tell your friends, 'Let's play it by ear.'
Alright, and I'll see you again next time.