wing it
verb1
Informal To improvise; to make things up or figure things out as one goes; to perform with little or no preparation.
- I don't know their system, but I think I can wing it.
- I didn't study for today's test, so I'll have to wing it.
2 more examples
- Plus, early in a career, bands are typically winging it from a creative standpoint; after awhile, acts figure out what they’re doing right (or wrong), and are more deliberate about songcraft and execution.2017 January 20, Annie Zaleski, “AFI sounds refreshed and rejuvenated on its 10th album, AFI (The Blood Album)”, in The Onion AV Club:
- “My [worry] is that after a week or more of mismanagement, I’m deeply concerned the government has made a difficult situation 10 times worse ... There is a growing concern the government is now winging it,” he said.2020 June 2, Rowena Mason, “Keir Starmer: 'Boris Johnson has to get a grip and restore public confidence'”, in The Guardian:
- Related terms
- half-ass