The phrase "making it up as one goes along" is often used to describe improvising or winging it. There are many synonyms for this phrase, including flying by the seat of one's pants, ad-libbing, extemporizing, freestyling, improvising, on-the-fly, spur-of-the-moment, and shooting from the hip. These phrases all imply that the person is not following a predetermined plan, but rather is reacting in the moment and making decisions as they come up. While some may see this approach as risky or unprepared, others see it as a valuable skill that allows them to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and come up with creative solutions to problems.