Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the following sentence.
I just went to Bali on a backpacking trip and did everything by the ear without any itinerary.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. by improvisation.
The idiom "by the ear," means to do something without preparation or planning. Given the context of the sentence, the meaning aligns with doing things spontaneously or without a fixed plan.
The idiom "by the ear" typically refers to doing something impromptu, often without prior preparation or written instructions. In the context of the sentence, the person went to Bali without following a specific itinerary and instead decided what to do as they went along, relying on spontaneity and improvisation.
Therefore the correct fit for the idiom "by the ear" is "by improvisation".