From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishplay something by earplay something by earPLANto play music that you have heard without having to read written music → see also play it by ear at play1(11) → ear
Examples from the Corpus
play something by ear• He heard jazz records at home when very young and played piano by ear.• So each played it by ear, with resulting policy shifts that often appeared to be not only sudden but incomprehensible.• At 2, he played the piano by ear.• As he has no political party that can provide him with practical support, he is forced to play it by ear.• But the government is having to play it by ear.• Well, she would play it by ear.play something by earplay something by eara) to decide what to do according to the way a situation develops, without making plans before that time We’ll see what the weather’s like and play it by ear. b) if someone can play a musical instrument by ear, they can play a tune without looking at written music → playExamples from the Corpus
play something by ear• As he has no political party that can provide him with practical support, he is forced to play it by ear.• At 2, he played the piano by ear.• But the government is having to play it by ear.• He heard jazz records at home when very young and played piano by ear.• Well, she would play it by ear.• So each played it by ear, with resulting policy shifts that often appeared to be not only sudden but incomprehensible. 