What does the idiom "on the spur of the moment" mean?
The expression on the spur of the moment is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the on the spur of the moment idiom.
Meaning of "on the spur of the moment"
Meaning
The idiom "on the spur of the moment" means to do something spontaneously, without premeditation, often resulting in doing something unexpected or unpredictable.
Etymology
The phrase "on the spur of the moment" originated in the 15th century, and is derived from the idea of a spur, which is a tool that was used to urge animals forward at the time. The phrase is meant to suggest the idea of an immediate and unplanned action, spurred forward without much thought.
Usage
The phrase "on the spur of the moment" is typically used to describe any immediate decision or action. It is often used to emphasize the unexpected nature of the action that took place. For example, someone might say "I decided to take a vacation on the spur of the moment," to emphasize that the vacation was not planned and was instead a spontaneous decision.
Example Sentences
- I saw an old friend in the street, so I decided to invite him out for coffee on the spur of the moment.
- I decided to quit my job on the spur of the moment - I just woke up one day and decided it was time for a change.
- We decided to go on an impromptu road trip on the spur of the moment - it was an adventure!
The Global Spread of English Idioms
As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.
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