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cover of episode 186 - Expression: To Play It By Ear

186 - Expression: To Play It By Ear

2025/4/3
logo of podcast American English Podcast

American English Podcast
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Shawna: 本节课讲解英语习语“to play it by ear”，意思是即兴发挥或在没有固定计划的情况下做决定。这个习语源于音乐，指乐器演奏者不看乐谱，而是根据听到的旋律演奏。这个音乐术语后来引申为在任何情况下都不提前计划，在20世纪中期成为美国英语中的常用习语。在日常口语中，“to play it by ear” 常用于表达灵活应变，不预先计划，其同义词是“go with the flow”，指灵活适应环境。“to play it by ear” 可以用于描述一日游的计划，即不设定具体行程，根据感觉安排；也可以用于描述求职面试，指根据谈话情况自然回应，不必准备完美的台词；还可以用于描述家庭聚餐，指根据当时的氛围决定是否留下来吃饭。我本人喜欢计划行程，因为害怕错过一些事情（FOMO），但我欣赏那些随遇而安、活在当下的人，并用法语词“flaneur”来形容这类人。“flaneur” 指的是那些漫无目的地游荡在城市中，享受环境的人，他们不事先计划，随遇而安。练习“to play it by ear”的语音发音，包括缩略和连读，以及不同时态的语音发音。关注英语表达中的语音细节，例如缩略和连读，有助于提高英语口语和听力水平。鼓励听众在生活计划被打乱时，采取灵活应变的态度。

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Chapters
The episode starts with a joke about a piano falling down a mine shaft, creating a pun on "flat minor." This sets a lighthearted tone for the lesson on the idiom "to play it by ear."
  • A pun on "flat minor" and "miner" is used as a joke.
  • The joke plays on the similar sounds of musical term "flat minor" and the word "miner."

Shownotes Transcript

In today’s episode, you’ll learn the common English expression “to play it by ear,” which means to improvise or make decisions without having a fixed plan. We’ll look at where the expression comes from, how to use it naturally in conversation, and go over three everyday examples to help you understand it clearly.

You’ll also hear a lighthearted joke involving music and miners, and at the end, we’ll practice pronunciation together. This episode is great for English learners who want to sound more natural and confident when speaking.

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