played by ear

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The cynical argued that he just didn't know quite what to do next; he had followed Huey's rule book to the point where things had to be played by ear, and had halted, baffled.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sometimes he did finger exercises, sometimes he improvised, sometimes he played by ear.

From Time Magazine Archive

He thought the Western tune could be played by ear around the conference table.

From Time Magazine Archive

Leftists, too, discovered that Roosevelt would listen to them, but not always follow them: he played by ear.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then she played by ear one or two of the old tunes they sang in church, touching the notes tenderly and almost making them speak the words.

From Marcia Schuyler by Lutz, Grace Livingston Hill