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

See Examples For:

to spare

If the courts don’t stop Pike’s execution, the public should urge Gov. Bill Lee to spare her life.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

In a disappointingly one-sided contest, Rockets reached their modest target with 46 balls to spare to secure their first women's title.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

We thought the new Lakers’ regime would get to work without a second to spare.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

After nearly half a century in space, the Voyagers now have extremely limited power to spare.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

I am already a very old man and I don’t have time to spare.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler