What is the Meaning and Origin of the Phrase ‘Spur of the Moment’?

To do something on the spur of the moment means to do it suddenly or impulsively; to do it without planning or preparation; to do it at a short notice.

“Spur” is a sharp-pointed object that is attached to the heel of a horse rider’s boot and that is pressed into the horse’s side to make the horse go faster.

In other words, ‘Spur’ is used to provoke or urge the horse forward.

Thus, if you took a decision on a moment’s impulse, you were provoked by the moment to make a decision. This decision was taken without planning or preparation or forethought, it was taken at the moment.

Let’s see an example —

“I took a business decision on the spur of the moment, and it cost me twenty thousand dollars.”

It means that I took a business decision without due planning or care, without proper research and I lost twenty thousand dollars.

This phrase is sometimes hyphenated to be used as an adjective.

For example —

“We made a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Maldives”.

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Hi, I am Gauri Shanker, a Vocab teacher and enthusiast. I teach vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. You can check out my courses here.