"on the spur of the moment"

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Paul - 25 May 2008 18:14 GMT

I stumbled upon "on the spur of the moment" in wiktionary.com and
found that the meaning given is "on very short notice". The example
cited reinforces the meaning -"They kept their bags packed so they can
leave on the spur of the moment".
I thought the idiom referred to acting on impulse as in " I took that
decision on the spur of the moment and have regretted it ever since".

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Ildhund - 26 May 2008 00:17 GMT

> I stumbled upon "on the spur of the moment" in wiktionary.com and
> found that the meaning given is "on very short notice". The
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> decision on the spur of the moment and have regretted it ever
> since".

My own view coincides with yours, but the OED (1989) allows for
both:
d. /on (or upon) the spur of the moment (or occasion, etc.)/,
without premeditation or deliberation; on a momentary impulse;
impromptu, suddenly, instantly.

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Noel

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Discussion Groups / British English / May 2008

"on the spur of the moment"