winging-it
Making it up
Winging-it is the act of proceeding without preparation or a plan, improvising as you go: I hadn't studied, so I was just winging-it on the exam.
The phrase comes from theater, where an unprepared actor might receive prompts from the wings.
The hyphenated form typically functions as a noun or modifier: Her winging-it approach to cooking produces mixed results.
Unscripted spontaneous performance
- freestylingUnscripted lyrical performance
- extemporizingSpeaking without preparation
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
- spontaneousArising without external cause
unrehearsed · impromptu · riffing · jamming · busking · spur-of-the-moment · on-the-fly · unscripted
Not arranged beforehand
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- cluelessLacking any understanding
- guessingEstimating without certainty
- fumblingClumsy, uncoordinated handling
bluffing · unpracticed · unrehearsed · underprepared · last-minute · cramming · procrastinated · panicking
Likelihood of occurrence
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- daringAdventurous courage
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
fearless · gutsy · brave · audacious · venturing · intuition · hunches · gambling
Ability to adapt easily
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- quick-thinkingMentally rapid, resourceful
- pivotingRotating around fixed point
- adjustingAltering to correct
agile · nimble · responsive · versatile · resilient · problem-solving · MacGyvering · jury-rigging
ad-libbing
Unscripted spontaneous performance
- freestylingUnscripted lyrical performance
- extemporizingSpeaking without preparation
- off-the-cuffUnplanned, unrehearsed
spontaneous · unrehearsed · impromptu · riffing · jamming · busking · spur-of-the-moment · on-the-fly · unscripted · improvised
unplanned
Not arranged beforehand
- scramblingMoving clumsily in haste
- cluelessLacking any understanding
- guessingEstimating without certainty
fumbling · bluffing · unpracticed · unrehearsed · underprepared · last-minute · cramming · procrastinated · panicking · behind
chance
Likelihood of occurrence
reckless · fearless · gutsy · brave · audacious · venturing · intuition · hunches · gambling · betting
flexibility
Ability to adapt easily
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- quick-thinkingMentally rapid, resourceful
- pivotingRotating around fixed point
adjusting · agile · nimble · responsive · versatile · resilient · problem-solving · MacGyvering · jury-rigging · hacking
winging-itplanning
Arranging for future events
preparing · rehearsing · practicing · studying · prepping
winging-itsystematic approach
Organized, repeatable procedure
by-the-numbers · regimented · structured · formulaic · procedural