winged it
Made it up
Winged it is past tense of wing it—to improvise or proceed without preparation.
The image is of taking flight without a plan, trusting instinct to carry you through: I forgot my notes so I just winged it.
Common in casual speech for situations where you fake competence or make it up as you go.
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- extemporizeSpeak without preparation
- make-doManage with less
- rushQuick sudden movement
make it up · playing it by ear · leap · off-the-cuff · trial-and-error · sweat · boldness · stumble · resourcefulness · unprepared · improvise · innovation · cleverness · ingenuity · impromptu · adaptability · presentation · bluff
preparation
winged itrehearsed
Prepared by repetition
planned ahead · overprepared · strategized · drilled · practiced