to spare

Idioms  

1. In addition to what is needed, extra, left over, as in We paid our bills and still had money to spare. This expression uses spare in the sense of “leftover” or “unused,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

She offered to essentially hand over the Iron Throne while Aemond was away if Rhaenyra promised to spare her and her family.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

Captain Fatima Sana's side lost their final seven wickets for 31 runs and were bowled out with three overs to spare, with leg-spinner Sree Charani also taking 3-21.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

But structure for a teenager who might otherwise drift and cash for a family with none to spare are exactly the two things the lottery studies say matter most.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Whoever’s supporting McLeod’s activities — whatever they might be other than supposedly bringing reconciliation to Republicans and Democrats — they appear to have money to spare.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

They all zip past the saxophonist without a glance or a coin to spare, so I do, too, even though I don’t feel very good about it.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day