My Current Fav. Number!
(before you read on, listen to this song here ... opens in a new window).
Idiots Love Idioms!
Play by Ear
When I first heard this phrase (that was yesterday, when I finally downloaded and watched the movie ... oops ... the brilliant Korean movie, "In Mood For Love" ... recommended vehemently by Parle urf Prateek Mehta), I thought that probably a word was missing. Grammatically, it should have been, "Play by the ear", no? I thought may be the subtitles guy had got it wrong ...
A little bit of etymology research revealed that the phrase was first spoken in the Shakespearean era ... and I would rather not talk about the grammatical ways of those times. So, "Play by ear" it is!
The phrase holds a similar meaning to the phrase, "Cross the bridge when it comes" ... as in, act impromptu as per the situation's demands ...
Neat, methinks! Next time someone asks me about my plans regarding whatever, I would probably be blahing, "Hmmm ... no plans ... I'll play by ear ... " ... and then show-off at length about my love for idioms/figures-of-speech ... :P
A little bit of etymology research revealed that the phrase was first spoken in the Shakespearean era ... and I would rather not talk about the grammatical ways of those times. So, "Play by ear" it is!
The phrase holds a similar meaning to the phrase, "Cross the bridge when it comes" ... as in, act impromptu as per the situation's demands ...
Neat, methinks! Next time someone asks me about my plans regarding whatever, I would probably be blahing, "Hmmm ... no plans ... I'll play by ear ... " ... and then show-off at length about my love for idioms/figures-of-speech ... :P