seat-of-the-pants

[ seet-uhv-thuh-pants ]

adjective

1. using or based on experience, instinct, or guesswork:

   a seat-of-the-pants management style.

2. done without the aid of instruments:

   The pilot made a seat-of-the-pants landing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of seat-of-the-pants¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Welcome to the wonderful world of third-tier, seat-of-the-pants presidential runs.

From The Daily Beast