When should I use play it by ear?
Use the idiom “play it by ear” when you are discussing an action or situation that is done or will be done without a plan in place.
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What is the origin of play it by ear?
The idiom “play it by ear” comes from John Playford’s A Brief Introduction to the Skill of Musick (1658). He writes, “To learn to play by rote or ear without book.”
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What’s another way of saying once in a blue moon?
Synonyms you can use in place of “once in a blue moon” include:
- From time to time
- Hardly ever
- Not often
- Rarely
- Seldom
QuillBot’s sentence rewriter can help you find synonyms for phrases like “once in a blue moon.”
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What is a blue moon?
In modern terms, a blue moon refers to the second full moon of the month, which typically has only one full moon. This happens once every few years.
However, historically, a blue moon referred to a rarer phenomenon: the fourth full moon in a season, which would typically have only three. That is why people use the idiom once in a blue moon to mean “very rarely.”
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How often is once in a blue moon?
“Once in a blue moon” is an idiom that means something happens “infrequently” or “rarely.” For instance, because it’s usually hot and sunny in Las Vegas, one could say that it only rains there once in a blue moon.
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What is a synonym for cut to the chase?
Some synonyms or near synonyms for the idiom “cut to the chase” include:
- Be frank
- Don’t beat around the bush
- Get down to brass tacks
- Get down to business
- Get on with it
- Get to the point
- Say what you have to say
QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you find other synonyms for idioms like “cut to the chase.”
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Where did cut to the chase come from?
The idiom “cut to the chase” originates from the silent film era of the 1920s. Directors and writers would literally cut to a chase scene after a slower sequence to keep the audience’s attention.
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What does take it with a pinch of salt mean?
Take it with a pinch of salt is a variant of the idiom take it with a grain of salt. Both convey the same meaning—to consider something skeptically because it may be untrue or misleading.
“Take it with a pinch of salt” is more popular in British English, whereas “take it with a grain of salt” is more commonly used in American English. Usage depends on the dialect being used and stylistic preferences.
QuillBot’s Paraphraser tool can help you find alternatives for “take it with a pinch of salt.”
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What is a synonym for take it with a grain of salt?
Some synonyms that can be used in place of take it with a grain of salt include:
- Approach that information with caution
- Be dubious about
- Be wary of
- Don’t take it at face value
- Maintain a healthy skepticism about
Our AI Rewriter can help you find synonyms for phrases like “take it with a grain of salt.”
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What is a brick and mortar business?
A brick and mortar business (often spelled brick-and-mortar) refers to a business that sells goods or serves its customers in a physical, permanent location. For example, a hair salon is an example of a brick-and-mortar business because clients are served in person.
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