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make it up as you go

[/meɪk ɪt ʌp əz juː ɡoʊ/]
verb phrase
improvisar; fazer conforme se avança
1. To create or decide something spontaneously without prior planning or preparation
I didn't have a speech prepared, so I just made it up as I went along.
Não tinha um discurso preparado, então apenas improvisei conforme avançava.
2. To handle a situation by responding to events as they occur rather than following a predetermined plan
We didn't have a detailed itinerary for the trip; we decided to make it up as we went.
Não tínhamos um itinerário detalhado para a viagem; decidimos improvisar conforme íamos.
NYC Slang
wing it; go off the cuff
Synonyms
improvisewing itplay it by earad-libgo with the flow
Antonyms
plan aheadprepare in advancefollow a schedulestick to the plan

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
improvisar; fazer conforme se avança
Common in casual and formal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ir levando; fazer na hora
More colloquial usage
São Paulo
improvisar; tocar conforme vai
Business and casual contexts
Portugal
improvisar; fazer conforme se segue
Slightly more formal tone

Related Idioms & Phrases

play it by ear
wing it
ad-lib
go with the flow
think on your feet
make do
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