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3. by the seat of pants

by the seat of pants

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*by the seat of one's pants

Fig. by sheer luck and use of intuition. (*Typically: fly ~; make it ~.) I got through school by the seat of my pants. Pilots who are in fog and using only instruments are flying by the seat of their pants.

See also: of, pant, seat

by the seat of (one's) pants

Informal

1. In a manner based on intuition and experience rather than method: He ran the business by the seat of his pants.

2. Without the use of instruments: an inexperienced pilot who had to fly the aircraft by the seat of her pants.

See also: of, pant, seat