seat-of-the-pants
1
8.5
- adjective
- /ˈsiːt əv ðə pænts/
- Informal
:
improvisado
- This is no longer seat-of-the-pants stuff.
- seat-of-the-pants operation
- seat-of-the-pants management style
- seat-of-the-pants approach
Examples
-
One such area is family law, where the human element is so prominent and seat-of-the-pants solutions are often needed.
Academic text (2000) -
The project was a total seat-of-the-pants effort, relying on quick decisions rather than thorough planning.
-
Writing by the seat of the pants seems to be very fashionable right now, but that gets me into so much trouble.
Blog text (5) -
A successful business doesn't run on "seat-of-the-pants" planning.
Blog text (7) -
And the competitors won't be able to have a seat-of-the-pants operation either.
Academic text (2007) -
McCain's campaign was a seat-of-the-pants affair that was jarring to watch.
Blog text (13) -
"In the past, most vehicle development was based solely on seat-of-the-pants intuition and extensive physical testing," said Skip Essma, a race vehicle engineer at Toyota Racing Development.
Academic text (2007) -
While the Cambridge school concentrated on proving theorems and the Princeton school on predicting the future, Zeldovich was more interested in seat-of-the-pants physics.
Academic text (1991) -
The seat-of-the-pants mentality of these kinds of owners fostered people's suspicions that they were cheats, as did the dingy conditions of the stores.
Academic text (1999) -
The reason James Scott Bell's "Plot and Structure" is still one of my favorite writing books is that it was the first one I read that presented a spectrum of plotting strategies, from complete seat-of-the-pants to an OCD level of outlining (with several points in between), rather than "my way or the highway."
Blog text (28)
Synonyms
9
7.0
Made quickly for a specific purpose when needed
2
6.3
Made quickly and simply to give a rough calculation or plan
1
4.6
Made quickly using what is available
1
7.7
Happens without planning, often on the spot
1
7.7
Says or does something without planning
Happening without much planning
Done quickly without thinking carefully
Antonyms
How Planned
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word seat-of-the-pants comes from early pilots who judged a plane by how it felt under their seat and pants, literally 'by feel'. So a seat-of-the-pants decision is one made 'by instinct' or quick improvisation rather than careful planning.