on the spur of the moment
(doing something) spontaneously, without planning
TRANSLATION
spur (noun) = Reitersporn spur (verb) = anspornen, ankurbeln, beflügeln on the spur of the moment = spontan --- GOOGLE INDEX on the spur of the moment: approximately 1,600,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
It's self-evident that deciding to retire is not something that you do ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT.
(The Daily Telegraph)
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If you want to boost your chances of catching that perfect shot ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, then you need to know about the quick camera launch option.
(Digital Trends)
(The Daily Telegraph)
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If you want to boost your chances of catching that perfect shot ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT, then you need to know about the quick camera launch option.
(Digital Trends)
Did you
know?
on the spur of the moment
idiom
- used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning
(Cambridge Dictionary)
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The expression "on the spur of the moment" derives from the action of encouraging a horse to run faster with spurs, a sharp, wheel-shaped object attached to the heel of boots. Spur is used in this case both as a verb and a noun. Jockeys spur their horses on for instance.
The figurative sense of the verb refers to inciting something to happen faster (Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth).
The noun spur is also used in various technical senses such as:
- a short side road leading off a main road (a motorway spur)
- a railway branch or siding (rail spur)
- a short or stunted branch of a tree
- a sharp horny projection from the leg just above the claws in male birds
- a ridge projecting laterally from a mountain or mountain range
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SYNONYMS
extemporaneously, immediately, impromptu, on impulse, spontaneously
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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"I applied for this job on the spur of the moment."
idiom
- used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning
(Cambridge Dictionary)
---
The expression "on the spur of the moment" derives from the action of encouraging a horse to run faster with spurs, a sharp, wheel-shaped object attached to the heel of boots. Spur is used in this case both as a verb and a noun. Jockeys spur their horses on for instance.
The figurative sense of the verb refers to inciting something to happen faster (Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth).
The noun spur is also used in various technical senses such as:
- a short side road leading off a main road (a motorway spur)
- a railway branch or siding (rail spur)
- a short or stunted branch of a tree
- a sharp horny projection from the leg just above the claws in male birds
- a ridge projecting laterally from a mountain or mountain range
---
SYNONYMS
extemporaneously, immediately, impromptu, on impulse, spontaneously
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"I applied for this job on the spur of the moment."
