All phrases › on the spur of the moment
What does “on the spur of the moment” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
Suddenly, without any planning in advance
“We decided to go, entirely on the spur of the moment.”
From the C1 lesson Playing It by Ear (time and timing).
Quick check
What does “on the spur of the moment” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“on the spur of the moment” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
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Related phrases
- play it by earto decide how to handle something as it happens, without a fixed plan
- at the drop of a hatimmediately, without any hesitation or planning
- cut it fineto leave yourself very little extra time before a deadline
- wing itto do something without preparation, improvising as you go
- catch someone off guardto surprise someone when they aren't expecting it
- a last-minute dasha rushed effort to do or get something right before a deadline
- in the nick of timeat the very last possible moment, just before it's too late
- jump the gunto act too early, before the right or appropriate moment
- make it up as you go alongto invent a plan or approach while you're already doing something