“Let’s play it by ear” is an idiom that is used to refer to the action of handling an issue as it unfolds instead of sticking to a plan from the onset. The idiom suggests being flexible and indicates a readiness to adapt.
It is used in several settings to sort of downplay the need for overburdening with planning. The goal is to focus on getting the job or task done with minimal time allocated to planning.
Sometimes, “Let’s play it by ear” is used when there are uncertainties about what will happen or what to expect such that some spontaneity is required from all parties concerned.
The origin of the phrase is associated with music where instrumentalists and musicians will use it to say they can play their instruments without necessarily rehearsing together.
If you want to look for other ways to say “Let’s play it by ear,” I have outlined and discussed 20 different ways to do so.
How to Say “Let’s Play It By Ear”
The following are some of the alternative ways we can say “Let’s play it by ear:”
- Nothing comes to mind right now so I can’t decide yet
- Anything that happens, I guess we are up to the task
- We could just go with the flow
- Let’s just have our heads on a swivel as we embark on this
- We will know what to do when we get there
- I think being spontaneous is going to favor us on this mission
- Keep an open mind
- We should be ready to change direction if the need arises
- Uncertainties will make this fun so let’s do it unsure
- Let’s not think too much about what we need to do
- It won’t be careless if we decide to get this done without the formality of planning
- Would like us to just see how things unfold and make changes as they do
- We’ll cross the bridge one way or the other when we get there
- Who needs planning when they’ve got this dynamic team?
- By any means necessary we are going to find a way around it
- Haven’t tried this before but what could possibly go wrong?
- Our plan isn’t fully formed but who needs that when we can flow with the tide?
- It would be possible for us to come up with something later on if we get stuck
- This is not a major deal that requires overbeating the planning process
- We are past the need for planning, let’s start executing but we are ready to pivot when the need arises
These responses have aspects and areas where they can be used which is why you should continue reading to understand how each works. I have detailed everything there is to know for each suggestion.
Nothing Comes To Mind Right Now So I Can’t Decide Yet
If you are in charge and everyone expects you to come up with a plan, you can tell them “Nothing comes to mind right now so I can’t decide yet” when you do not want to go over any planning process. It is a good way to excuse yourself from the need to make a plan and inform others that you guys will be playing it by ear.
Anything That Happens, I Guess We Are Up To The Task
You can tell your team or anyone you intend to do something with that you all are up to the task. This is a way to let them know that you are confident that nothing that goes on can be beyond them. You should use this example when whatever it is you intend to do might be official.
We Could Just Go With The Flow
You might have heard the idea of going with the flow before and it is nothing more than an alternative to playing it by ear. Going with the flow speaks of being flexible, and not being too rigid in operations.
This is a perfect example of an alternative if you are looking for something that can be used in informal settings and when you guys have a fun activity planned.
Let’s Just Have Our Heads On A Swivel As We Embark On This
I once saw a TV series titled “SEAL Team” and it had its lead actor, Jason Hayes always telling his team to keep their heads on a swivel. What he meant with this statement is that they should be prepared for anything that comes their way.
Even though they had a plan when they kicked doors, having their heads on a swivel meant that when things did not go according to plan, they should be ready to adapt. This adaptability is the idea of playing something by ear.
Hence, “Let’s just have our heads on a swivel as we embark on this” is a good way to say “Let’s play it by ear.”
We Will Know What To Do When We Get There
You could say “We will know what to do when we get there” when you are part of a team or leading a group to get something done but for some reason do not have all the details so cannot make accurate plans.
I Think Being Spontaneous Is Going To Favor Us On This Mission
There are times when you might need to be spontaneous when doing something rather than stick to a plan. It could be ahead of a road trip, trying to plan a date, or when playing music.
If you figure out that being kind of impulsive would be a lot more fun than trying to stay within the confines of meditated plans, then you could say “I think being spontaneous is going to favor us on this mission.”
Keep An Open Mind
Keeping an open mind can also be used to refer to the need for a flexible approach to something. Rather than get something on which to fix our minds, when we say people should have an open mind, we are saying they should expect anything to happen and be quick-witted in making plans to match up the changes.
We Should Be Ready To Change Direction If The Need Arises
“We should be ready to change direction if the need arises” works best when there must have been a plan before but then there could be changes that will warrant a different approach.
When you do not see the need to make further plans to accommodate every part of the situation on the ground and would like to play it by ear, this is a good way to make it known.
Uncertainties Will Make This Fun So Let’s Do It Unsure
There is a unique sort of adrenaline rush that comes from having to do things in the spur of the moment. This can be a motivation for teams or groups that are engaging in activities that might have a lot to do with having fun.
It could be a dance group, a music group, or a sports team. If it makes sense to expect uncertainties, then you can use this example.
Let’s Not Think Too Much About What We Need To Do
Whether you have given too much thought to the decision-making process or not, “Let’s not think too much about what we need to do” is another way to let everyone know you would like them to just get on with doing what needs to be done rather than planning.
Stating it like this makes it clear that what needs to be done will be done and there was no point trying to tie every loose end.
It Won’t Be Careless If We Decide To Get This Done Without The Formality Of Planning
Sometimes, people may not be comfortable with the idea of going without a plan. This is where you might need to encourage them that they’ve got nothing to worry about as regards your desire for some flexibility.
You can say let them know that you do not consider it carelessness to not have a plan just to get every one of them on board.
Would Like Us To Just See How Things Unfold And Make Changes As They Do
It could be that your desire to allow things to unfold is the perfect course of action and not just about being uninterested in the planning process.
Just to make it clear that the planning would be better as things begin to happen, you can say “Would like us to just see how things unfold and make changes as they do.”
We’ll Cross The Bridge One Way Or The Other When We Get There
Crossing the bridge is another way you can talk about just going on without a plan. It might seem reckless but it actually gives the idea that you expect that the plans will be made when they are needed.
It also refers to the prospect that things would definitely go well no matter what.
Who Needs Planning When They’ve Got This Dynamic Team?
It does not matter who you are with or the context, you can massage the ego of others who might not be willing to just go with the flow as you might want to suggest with the idea of playing it by ear. “Who needs planning when they’ve got this dynamic team?” is a perfect example of what to do in such a context.
By Any Means Necessary We Are Going To Find A Way Around It
“By any means necessary we are going to find a way around it” is an alternative to “Let’s play it by ear” that will make the difference if there are doubts about just going with the flow.
Saying this will make them trust you that things will not go wrong even if there is no plan to work with.
Haven’t Tried This Before But What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
If that was the first time you were doing something and you would like to just go on without a plan, you can state that you are a novice or it is your first experience but add that you are confident nothing could go wrong.
Our Plan Isn’t Fully Formed But Who Needs That When We Can Flow With The Tide?
You can also admit that the plan is not fully formed and if that is a problem for others with you, then you can let them know that having a plan is not needed because you can flow with the tide. Flowing with the tide indicates that any outcome is manageable enough to wade through.
It Would Be Possible For Us To Come Up With Something Later On If We Get Stuck
If you want to play it by ear but other people have expressed signs of dissatisfaction with that plan, you can settle their minds with a statement like “It would be possible for us to come up with something later on if we get stuck.”
This assurance is going to be helpful in making concur with your viewpoint.
This Is Not A Major Deal That Requires Overbeating The Planning Process
“This is not a major deal that requires overbeating the planning process” downplays the need for planning because whatever needs to be done isn’t all that sensitive or magnanimous to warrant being critical about planning.
We Are Past The Need For Planning, Let’s Start Executing But We Are Ready To Pivot When The Need Arises
Lastly, you can say “We are past the need for planning, let’s start executing but we are ready to pivot when the need arises” instead of “Let’s play it by ear.”
The idea is to move on with whatever plan has been made because there would always be room to pivot and make the necessary adaptations when needed.
Final Thoughts
With these suggestions, I am sure you have found enough ways to go around telling people “Let’s play it by ear.” You can use these responses as explained and based on the contexts and scenarios where they are suited.
