By the seat of one's pants

Definitions

• To do something without proper preparation or experience
  To attempt a task or activity with little to no planning or expertise, often resulting in a chaotic or unpredictable outcome

• To narrowly escape a difficult or dangerous situation
  To barely manage to succeed or survive a challenging or risky situation, often due to luck or sheer determination

Examples of By the seat of one's pants

• The pilot had to land the plane by the seat of his pants when the instruments malfunctioned.

  This idiom means to do something without proper preparation or knowledge. In this case, the pilot had to land the plane without the help of the instruments, which is a challenging and risky situation.

• She started her own business by the seat of her pants, with very little capital and no formal training.

  This idiom can also be used to describe starting something with little or no preparation. In this example, the woman started her own business with very few resources, which required her to make decisions quickly and improvise as she went along.

• The sales team had to present the new product to the board by the seat of their pants, as they hadn't had enough time to prepare a detailed presentation.

  This idiom can also be used to describe presenting something without adequate preparation. In this example, the sales team had to present the new product to the board without a detailed presentation, which required them to be quick-thinking and confident in their ability to sell the product.

• The actor forgot his lines during the performance and had to act by the seat of his pants.

  This idiom can also be used to describe performing without proper preparation or knowledge. In this example, the actor forgot his lines during the performance, which required him to improvise and act without the help of the script.

• The team had to come up with a solution to the problem by the seat of their pants, as they didn't have enough time to conduct a thorough analysis.

  This idiom can also be used to describe finding a solution without adequate preparation. In this example, the team had to come up with a solution to the problem quickly, without the time to conduct a thorough analysis, which required them to be creative and resourceful.

Conclusion

The idiom "by the seat of one's pants" is typically used to describe a situation where someone is acting without proper preparation or skill. It can refer to both a lack of knowledge or experience in a particular task, as well as a lack of planning or organization. This can result in a chaotic and unpredictable outcome, as the person is essentially flying by the seat of their pants, relying on instinct and luck rather than any solid strategy.

The idiom can also be used to describe a situation where someone has narrowly escaped a difficult or dangerous situation. In this context, it highlights the idea that the person's success was not due to any deliberate action or skill, but rather sheer luck or determination. It can be seen as a more colorful way of saying "by the skin of one's teeth."

Origin of "By the seat of one's pants"

The origin of the idiom "by the seat of one's pants" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the early days of aviation. Pilots would often have to fly in challenging weather conditions without the aid of modern instruments, relying on their instincts and experience to navigate. The term "seat of one's pants" refers to the feeling of using one's own body as a guide, rather than relying on external tools.

Over time, the idiom became more commonly used to describe situations outside of aviation, but the original connotation of relying on instinct and luck remains. It has also been adapted to other forms, such as "flying by the seat of one's pants" or "working by the seat of one's pants," to describe situations where someone is acting without proper preparation or knowledge.