on the spur of the moment

Idioms

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.

“If you send a sporadic message, on the spur of the moment, to patients and get their hopes up, it’s irresponsible no matter how you try to turn it.”

From Washington Post • May 3, 2022

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

Subversive and brilliant as it was, the decision to reveal his sexuality was made on the spur of the moment.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 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

It wasn’t very good, but it was the best I could do on the spur of the moment.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

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