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Synonyms

on the spur of the moment

Idioms  

  1. Impulsively, without prior preparation, as in He decided to join a tour to England on the spur of the moment. This expression alludes to the goading action of a spur to a horse. [Late 1700s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This second group had no boat of their own, and appeared, to us, to be acting on the spur of the moment, presumably hoping to catch a ride on the other group's inflatable.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2024

All the lights were on for maintenance, so on the spur of the moment he decided to walk inside and look around.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2023

Many years ago, my husband and I decided on the spur of the moment to see a Broadway show.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2021

Bernard Ssembatya said he had been driving by when he spotted the Red Cross’s white tent and went in for a jab on the spur of the moment.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 11, 2021

“Mr. Weasley, can I have a quick word?” said Harry, making up his mind on the spur of the moment.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.