[Idiom] BY THE SEAT OF PANTS. - Discover How Idioms Color Everyday English Expressions!

Relying on instinct rather than logic or knowledge.

By the seat of pants" implies managing a situation or solving a problem through intuition and instinct rather than through a clearly defined plan or detailed knowledge. It reflects a make-do approach often necessary when faced with unexpected challenges or incomplete information. This idiom is based on early aviation, where pilots had few navigation instruments and had to rely heavily on their senses and judgment. It's now commonly used to describe any ad-hoc or improvised action, like navigating a crisis without prior experience.

Example Sentences

1. He managed the situation by the seat of his pants, making quick decisions without any plan.

   He handled the situation by making spontaneous decisions without any preparation.

2. They flew the airplane by the seat of their pants, relying solely on their instincts.

   They piloted the airplane based on instincts rather than following a formal plan.

3. Sometimes in business, especially in startups, you have to operate by the seat of your pants and improvise along the way.

   In startups, quick, impromptu decisions are often necessary.