Idiom "by ear"

[lkj]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #293 "English Slang Idioms (15)", question 2

Since there was no agenda for the day, the team leader decided to play it by ......... and deal with issues as they came up.

(a) rote
(b) ear
(c) numbers
(d) textbook

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #293 "English Slang Idioms (15)", answer 2

Since there was no agenda for the day, the team leader decided to play it by ear and deal with issues as they came up.

Correct answer: (b) ear
_________________________

why

lkj

[Mister Micawber]

.
Because that is the idiom: BY EAR.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[lost_soul]

And another one with the same meaning is "play it off the cuff", right?
_________________
Alex

A native speaker of Russian

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes. Of the cuff stresses the lack of preparation; by ear stresses reacting to the current situation.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber