Let's play it by ear later vs Let's see what happens

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'Let's play it by ear later' implies a more spontaneous and flexible approach, while 'Let's see what happens' suggests a wait-and-see attitude. The choice between the two depends on the level of planning or control desired in a situation.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 892 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to suggest a flexible and spontaneous approach to a situation.

"Let's play it by ear later"

This phrase is used when someone wants to decide on a course of action as the situation develops, without a fixed plan in advance.

Examples:

We don't have to decide now; let's play it by ear later and see how things go.
I'm not sure what time I'll be free, so let's play it by ear later.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't know. Let's just play it by ear.
So let's just play it by ear, see where the afternoon takes us.
You know, let's play it by ear.
You told me to play it by ear, Carrie.
Just play it by ear or something.
I'll play it by ear I must...
We'll just go down and play it by ear.
Okay, we'll play it by ear.
And fact is, Boden makes the final call, so let's just... play it by ear, right?
At this level, you'll have to play it by ear.
But they're better than I expected and, well, we'll play it by ear.
Play it by ear, see what happens, maybe we pay him.
I didn't really have a plan. I just thought I'd play it by ear, see how things go.
WELL, LET'S PLAY IT BY EAR THEN.
We will do the business first, and then if there's any time left over, we will just play it by ear.
We will do the business first, and then if there's any time left over, we will just play it by ear.
No, I think I'll play it by ear, fly by the seat of my pants.
We'll take it easy and play it by ear, OK?
We'll take it easy and play it by ear, OK?
What if we just saw what happens, play it by ear?

Alternatives:

Let's see how it goes
Let's take it as it comes
Let's improvise
Let's wing it
Let's go with the flow

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a wait-and-see attitude towards a situation.

"Let's see what happens"

This phrase is used when someone wants to observe the outcome of a situation without making specific plans or predictions.

Examples:

I'm not sure how the meeting will go; let's see what happens.
Let's not worry about it now; let's see what happens next.

Show examples from the web [+]

Let's see what happens when I inject you with zombie poison.
Let's see what happens if you look at the driving history.
Let's see what happens when Jennifer sends him this.
Let's see what happens when I put him on the floor.
Let's see what happens when I tell him they want to meet the press.
So... Let's see what happens with those.
Here's the first one. Let's see what happens.
Let's see what happens when we split 'em up.
Let's see what happens when it hits the shields.
Let's see what happens when I run my hand up the flagpole.
Let's see what happens if we do two symmetries with the triangle, one after the other.
Let's see what happens, and then we'll take it from there.
We cannot pass laws on the basis of 'Let's see what happens'.
Let's see what happens before we start making excuses, okay?
We've seen what happens to one plague victim. Let's see what happens to a hundred of them.
MARQUEZ: Every practice, every race, it was just, "Let's see what happens."
For now let's see what happens with this.
So let's see what happens when he hears this.
So let's see what happens next with our star-crossed lovers.
Wait, let's see what happens to mama.

Alternatives:

Let's wait and see
Let's play it by ear
Let's go with the flow
Let's take it as it comes
Let's improvise

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Let's play it by ear later vs Let's see what happens