“The spur of the moment” means a sudden action or decision without planning or thinking. Strictly speaking, to do something on the spur of the moment is to act quickly and impulsively, driven by impulse or the impulse of the moment rather than detailed planning or long-term thinking.
Origin of the Idiom “The Spur of the Moment”
The phrase “the spur of the moment” is an equestrian term, with its roots in the spurs – the pointed devices attached to a rider’s boots—to goad a horse to take a faster pace. By pressing lightly with the spur, the rider tells the horse to move faster. That action creates an association with speed and immediacy.
The expression “the spur of the moment” came to refer to someone who acts on whims throughout time, much as a horse may speed out of nowhere when it receives a spur. By the 1600s, the phrase “on the spur of the moment” was frequently employed to describe spontaneous, unplanned behaviours.
‘On the spur of the moment’ captures the idea of impromptu decision-making or action. It expresses a sense of urgency, spontaneity, and the swift reaction to the moment. Though it originates in equestrian pursuits in horsemanship it evolved into a phrase used more generally. It’s about a decision made without deliberation but instead driven by emotion or necessity.
The Shakespeare Connection
There is a Shakespearean connection to the concept of “the spur of the moment” in relation to quick or impromptu action, though he doesn’t specifically use the full phrase “the spur of the moment.” Shakespeare frequently employed the metaphor of spurs to convey urgency or provocation.
A notable example occurs in Macbeth, when Macbeth is considering whether to kill King Duncan:
“And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on the other.”
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7
In this section, Macbeth reflects on how he no longer has an external motive – it’s something that drives him to act, because of his ambitions. The language of speed and power penetrate deeply into the equestrian imagery of the time. Shakespeare’s work contributed to the wider definition of expressions such as “the spur of the moment” and became part of the English lexicon.
The spur of the moment
The use of “the spur of the moment” in various media
Literature
Charles Dickens, Bleak House (1853):
Dickens’ Bleak House is full of examples of the unpredictable nature of Victorian life. The phrase is used to highlight the countless unplanned actions such unpredictability engenders. Richard Carstone explains the impulsiveness of his financial decisions as: “We made the decision on the spur of the moment, not entirely knowing where it might lead us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937):
In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins makes several spur-of-the-moment decisions, most notably when he decides to join the dwarves on their journey: “Bilbo, without much thought, on the spur of the moment, leapt forward.”
This captures the spontaneity of Bilbo’s uncharacteristic bravery at various turning points in the story.
Film
The Holiday (2006)
In the romantic comedy The Holiday, the phrase is used in dialogue when Iris (played by Kate Winslet) spontaneously switches houses with Amanda (Cameron Diaz): “I made the decision on the spur of the moment—flying out here just seemed like the right thing to do.”
This supports Iris’s impulsive need for a break, driving the narrative of her self-discovery.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
The phrase is referenced when Danny Ocean (George Clooney) explains a critical, unplanned move in the heist: “We had to make that call on the spur of the moment.”
Here, the idiom emphasizes the quick-thinking nature of the heist crew as they adapt to an unforeseen complication.
Television
Friends (S05E24, “The One in Vegas”)
When Ross and Rachel unexpectedly get married in Las Vegas, Ross explains, “It was just one of those spur-of-the-moment things, you know?”
This moment underlines the comedic consequences of their impulsive decision, adding to the chaos of the scene.
Grey’s Anatomy (S02E16, “It’s the End of the World”)
During a medical crisis, the phrase is used by Meredith Grey to describe a patient’s rash decision that complicates a surgery: “On the spur of the moment, he decided to pull out the grenade.”
The phrase reflects the tension and unpredictability in life-and-death situations that the show often portrays.
Media
News Coverage, BBC (2016)
In an article covering the Brexit vote, the phrase appeared in a discussion of impulsive political decisions: “Many voters, on the spur of the moment, chose to leave, swayed by emotion rather than fact.”
This reflects the unpredictable nature of the referendum and its immediate impact on the political landscape.
Social Media (2023)
A viral tweet on Twitter about a celebrity’s sudden decision to cancel a concert read: “She cancelled the show on the spur of the moment after a last-minute change in her schedule.”
This usage highlights the spontaneity often seen in the public actions of celebrities and how quickly news spreads on social platforms.
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