There are several synonyms for the phrase "making up as one goes along." One common alternative is "winging it," which has a more positive connotation suggesting a confident improvisation. Another alternative is "improvising," which emphasizes the act of creating something spontaneously without prior planning. A similar phrase is "playing it by ear," which implies that decisions are made based on current circumstances. Other synonyms include "ad-libbing," "spontaneous," "unrehearsed," and "off the cuff," which imply a lack of preparation or a reliance on creative thinking. Ultimately, each of these phrases suggests a willingness to take risks and a creative approach to problem-solving.