noun
playing to the gallery; grandstanding; cheap theatrics
Describes behavior or speech aimed at getting a reaction from an audience, often with a negative connotation of being shallow or insincere. Used as a noun or with な/の to modify nouns.
彼の演説は場当たりで、中身がなかった。
His speech was just playing to the gallery and lacked substance.
あの政治家はいつも場
That politician always makes grandstanding remarks.
na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Used for actions or decisions made on the spot without planning, often with a negative nuance of being careless or inconsistent. Functions as a な-adjective or の-adjective.
場当たりな対応では、問題は解決しない。
An ad hoc response won't solve the problem.
彼の仕事はいつも場当たりで、計画性がない。
His work is always haphazard and lacks planning.
noun
dress rehearsal (abbreviation)
Abbreviation of 場当たり稽古 (ばあたりげいこ), a theater term for a run-through on the actual stage. Rarely used outside theater contexts.
See also: 場当たり稽古
明日は場当たりがあるので、早めに劇場に集合してください。
We have a dress rehearsal tomorrow, so please gather at the theater early.
その場しのぎ also means a stopgap or makeshift measure, but focuses on getting through the immediate situation, while 場当たり emphasizes the lack of planning or the performative aspect.
アドリブ is a neutral term for improvisation, especially in performance, whereas 場当たり often carries a negative connotation of being unprepared or shallow.
Compound of 場 (ば, 'place, scene') and 当たり (あたり, 'hitting, suiting'). Originally referred to an actor's performance that is tailored to the immediate audience reaction, later extended to mean any improvised or shallow action.