行(い)き当(あ)たりばったり

Can carry either a positive or negative nuance depending on context. When describing travel or leisure, it suggests a carefree, adventurous spirit. In work or business contexts, it implies irresponsible lack of planning. Functions as a noun modified by の, or as an adverbial modifier with で.

Etymology

From 行(い)き当(あ)たる (to come across by chance) + ばったり (suddenly encountering). The doubling creates an emphatic sense of doing whatever one happens upon.

Common collocations

• 行(い)き当(あ)たりばったりの旅(たび): an unplanned trip
• 行(い)き当(あ)たりばったりの生活(せいかつ): an aimless lifestyle
• 行(い)き当(あ)たりばったりで決(き)める: to decide on the fly
• 行(い)き当(あ)たりばったりに行動(こうどう)する: to act haphazardly

Similar words

• 出(で)たとこ勝負(しょうぶ): playing it by ear; taking one's chances — similar meaning but focuses more on the element of risk
• 無計画(むけいかく): unplanned; without a plan — a more neutral, descriptive term
• 場当(ばあ)たり: ad hoc; improvised — often negative, implying stopgap measures without thinking ahead