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

After Sciver-Brunt left the field, England also lost Freya Kemp for two before edging home in pursuit of 119 with 15 balls to spare.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

The 1983 reforms passed with months to spare.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 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

She easily catches up to me with what looks like plenty of energy to spare.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer