MEANING
Suddenly and without planning, in response to an immediate impulse or opportunity.
Use it for
doing something without planning; making a sudden decision; acting on an immediate impulse; changing plans spontaneouslyMarks a sudden decision made without prior preparation. Writing functions: Spontaneous action. Semantic categories (by meaning): Spontaneity; Decision-making. Contexts: General conversation; Creative prose.
On the page
On the spur of the moment, we took the train to the coast.
She bought a ticket on the spur of the moment and told no one until morning.
Word forms
- Base
- on the spur of the moment
Usage notes
Adverbial phrase; normally modifies an action or decision. Do not add a possessive or plural. Register: informal. Commonness: common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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