1. figurative: wait to take action depending on what happens next
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don't decide now, just play it by ear and see what happens
When you play something by ear it means to perform music without having to read from a sheet or use a score. Figuratively to 'play something by ear' is an informal expression meaning to do something in an improvised way without a plan. Similar in meaning to, 'ad lib', 'make it up as we go along' or 'wing it'.