The phrase ‘Let’s play it by ear’ was coined from the idea of playing a musical instrument without looking at the sheet music. Today, it is considered an idiomatic expression that means to do something without prior planning or responding during a venture as events unfold. A more understandable and closely related phrase would be ‘going with the flow.’
So, if someone says ‘Let’s play it by ear,’ they want to go with the flow and not bother about deciding a course of action. Responding to this expression may be somewhat difficult, but in this article, I have outlined 20 casual responses to the statement.
That’s One Way To Say You Don’t Have A Plan
Someone informs you about something they want to do and when you ask them how they intend to get it done, they respond with ‘Let’s play it by ear.’ They do not have a plan or just want to swim according to the tides. This is a good place to respond with “That’s one way to say you don’t have a plan” because if they did, they’ll share.
- That’s a creative way to say you have no idea how you’ll get it done.
- You don’t know what you should do to achieve that task.
Don’t You Think We Should Make A Plan?
This is another good response to use. You are not necessarily questioning the individual but trying to make them see reasons why it would be safer to not play it by ear. A perfect scenario to use a response like this is in corporate spaces or when the task to be handled will have significant consequences should anything go wrong.
- When you consider the outcomes, you are better off with a plan than trying to be spontaneous.
I Couldn’t Agree Less
Even when you know the importance of planning, some activities can go on without adequate planning. Pondering throughout the action could ruin the fun of it. Certain incidents will generate amusing results when there’s no schedule for proceedings.
- On this one, I agree to have some spontaneity.
- Employing tactics takes the fun out of all this. I think we should flow with the tide and see where it takes us.
I Hope We Don’t Regret This Move
Not making plans before doing something often results in unpleasant and unexpected occurrences. With a plan, you may be able to handle situations that may be manageable, leading to poor decision-making and a bizarre outcome.
- Not entirely happy with this play-it-by-ear idea.
- I pray we are capable of handling any unforeseen incidents.
It is Pretty Difficult to Be Sure How That Would Turn Out
It is easier to tell what will happen when you are following a procedure. If you decide to play it by ear, you may be unable to determine outcomes accurately. This is where a response like “I don’t know how that would turn out” can be used. It could be used to convey your thoughts without standing in defiance or showing solidarity.
- We can’t say exactly how that will turn out.
- It is hard to say if we’ll be successful without a plan.
You Are Bound To Do Crazy Things When You Are Off Your Leash
Some people dislike playing by the rules or sticking to a modus operandi. These guys want to stay off any “leash” and do their thing without external influences. If you encounter such a person and they tells you to play it by ear, you can respond with “You are bound to do crazy things when you are off your leash.”
- I know you’ve got something up your sleeves and I cannot wait to see how it is going to go.
- If you asked me, I’d say you are a creative genius, and playing it by ear seems to be your forte.
It Hardly Ever Turns Out well when You Decide To Go With The Flow
“It hardly ever turns out good when you decide to go with the flow” is the reply you give to that friend or colleague who enjoys being spontaneous when making decisions instead of planning. They may want to continue with their original plan of waiting to decide as events unfurl.
- I don’t think I’ve seen one of your ‘Let’s play it by ear’ ideas work out well.
- You enjoy the flow only that it sweeps you harder than you expect.
As My Lord Pleases
A casual response you can give to anyone who says ‘Let’s play it by ear,’ regardless of the context is ‘As you please, my Lord/Lady.’ You are agreeing to see how things unfold before you decide on your responses. Whether they are your superior or not, calling them that could lighten up the mood before you begin.
- Your wishes are my command, my Lord.
- What can I say? As MiLady pleases.
Just The Flexibility I Need Us To Employ
It is not every time you want to implement a series of rigid approaches to handling a task. Sometimes, we want to experience that randomness and the adrenaline that comes from making decisions on the spot. When you find someone that aligns with this idea, you can tell them “This is the flexibility I need us to employ. Let’s get it done.”
- I knew I wasn’t wrong to put you on my team.
- You have no idea how happy I am that you see it this way. It is all I think we need.
If There’s Anybody who sponsors My Carefree Attitude, It Is You
To that friend or colleague who is always going with the flow and never making plans, when they bring up the ‘Let’s play it by ear’ narrative, you can respond this way.
- With you, I hardly see the need to plan. Such a bad influence. LOL.
- At this rate, I will always want to go with the tide. You’ve been a bad mentor.
I Already Knew That’s The Vibe We’ll Go With
You know someone always interested in ‘playing it by ear,’ either literally as in playing an instrument or figuratively when doing something, this response will suffice. This is something that happens in musical settings. You have people who do not want to look at the sheet music.
- Why did I bother asking what the plan was? I knew we’d play it by ear.
- Was I expecting a plan? Nah. Not with you. LOL.
When We Come To A Crossroads, I Hope We Have A Handle On The Circumstances
Another casual response to ‘Let’s play it by ear,’ if the situation could present outcomes that aren’t entirely palatable is ‘When we come to a crossroads, I hope we have a handle on the circumstances.’ It is important to have a contingency plan in place, so expressing a sincere desire for it and bringing it to everyone’s attention is necessary.
- It is good we want to let things play out, but this project is quite sensitive.
- Not that I hate to go with the flow. This could turn into a disaster at the slightest opportunity.
Well, We Are Young People, Do We Plan?
“We are young people, do we plan?” is another casual and fun response to ‘Let’s play it by ear.’ Leading a team of young people and one suggests going with the flow? It’s a common perspective among younger individuals. Force yourself into the age circle and share in their grand plan with this response.
- The thought of going with the flow makes me feel young already.
- Who cares about plans? Let’s get it.
I Hope We Can Achieve Harmony
“I hope we can achieve harmony” would work well when ‘Let’s play it by ear’ is used in music. It would also be an excellent reply if the action you are taking requires a synergy between all the parties involved.
- Let’s hope we make music and not noise.
- If we can fuse our strengths and work together, it would be cool.
You Are A Master At This Already. I’ll Stay In Your Shadow
A person who says y’all should play it by ear may be a master already at whatever thing they want to do. In this case, you can understand their bias and why they’d like to go with the flow. You can respond by saying “You are a master at this already. I’ll stay in your shadow.”
This shows you do not agree with not making a plan but wouldn’t mind being at the rear when things go haywire.
It Is Too Early To Even Decide On Any Course Of Action
“It is too early to even decide on any course of action” is another way to agree that playing it by ear is the best way to go. This is perfect for interactions with colleagues, friends, and anyone regardless of the context. As long as the action requires a plan but then there’s time to create one, this is a good response to give the go-ahead.
- We can’t even decide on a plan just yet. We’ll have to wait a little.
- If we don’t begin with what we have, there’s no way we can be sure of the right things to do.
If Anything Goes Wrong, I’ll Put The Blame On You
You can exempt yourself from the consequences of allowing things to just flow with the tide by responding with “If anything goes wrong, I’ll blame you.” It could be during your conversation with a musical partner or a friend at work. If you are confident things could go wrong, you can use this response to show your lack of faith in the plan.
I Can’t Wait To Laugh At The Outcome Of This Joke Of A Venture
Your friend, a fellow instrumentalist, says you both should play something by the ear in a performance or your colleague decides to go with the flow while reading a speech, these are ideal scenarios to use ‘I can’t wait to laugh at the outcome of this joke of a venture” when responding to ‘Let’s play it by ear.’
- I can already see how this won’t end well.
- Nothing will be as hilarious as when our unpreparedness shows on stage.
While I Acknowledge That You Are A Creative Genius, You Know I Fall Short In This Regard
“While I acknowledge that you are a creative genius, you know I fall short in this regard” is another recommended response to ‘Let’s play it by ear.’ It would work in literal circumstances and when the expression is used figuratively. The goal is to let the person know that while they can put up a masterclass and rely on their creativity to wiggle out of dire situations, you are not so much on their level.
Playing It By Ear Is Already A Plan. So, I Don’t Mind
‘Playing it by ear is already a plan. So, I don’t mind ’ is a good way to respond casually also. You know how they say when you don’t plan, you plan to fail – that’s what this remark suggests. It is a plan already to play it by ear and if it is something you are comfortable with, then, get cracking.
Before You Go
Whether the action to be taken will have dire consequences if carried out with a proper plan or not, if you need to respond to ‘Let’s play it by ear’ in the most casual way possible, I am confident you have found worthy recommendations to that effect.
