English in a Minute: Phrases with 'ear'

Learning English Vocabulary

BBC

Language Learning, Education

4.5 • 523 Ratings

🗓️ 3 September 2025

⏱️ 1 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

If you 'play it by ear', you don't make a plan. Learn this phrase and more in this podcast.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to BBC LearningEnglish.com.
0:04.6	What phrases can we make with ear?
0:10.6	If something is music to your ears, it's great news that makes you happy.
0:16.1	We're getting a pay rise. That's music to my ears.
0:19.5	If you don't make a plan, you can play it by ear. Just see what
0:23.3	happens and be spontaneous. We don't have a schedule for the trip. We're just going to play it by ear.
0:30.4	If you lend an ear, you listen sympathetically to someone who needs support. You look upset. Do you want me to lend an ear?
0:39.9	And finally, if you're up to your ears in something,
0:43.2	it's taking all your time and attention.
0:45.9	You're extremely busy and at capacity.
0:48.9	I can't go out tonight. I'm up to my ears in work.
0:52.9	Now go out there and use these phrases,
0:55.1	and don't forget to lend an ear to your friends.

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