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

Americans are not going to starve because of Hormuz.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

Core to that agreement is that the public be left with adequate access to food and water, and there can be no strikes to starve the population or force the displacement of civilians.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

And so the story returns, as it always does, to devastation: a creature who longed to break bread with humanity instead learns to starve himself of hope.

From Salon • Nov. 16, 2025

"My mum and Craig shouldn't have to starve themselves to be seen," said Lindsay's son Joe Bennett in a statement.

From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025

Perhaps the Lannisters meant for him to starve to death.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin