On the spur of the moment
/ɒn ðə ˌspɜːr əv ðə ˈməʊmənt/informalUK · US
What does “On the spur of the moment” mean?
On the spur of the moment means without planning ahead, following a sudden impulse
You walk past a station and decide to spend the day by the sea. If you had not planned the trip, you went on the spur of the moment.
An unexpected event is not automatically a spur-of-the-moment decision. The phrase describes how someone chooses to act.
When do people say it?
Use it for a decision made suddenly rather than planned. It can sound cheerful or regretful, depending on what happened next.
“We booked the last two seats on the spur of the moment.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
A spur encourages a horse to move. The expression pictures the moment itself prompting you to act.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “On the spur of the moment” in other languages?
Last updated 2026-11-04