on the spur of the moment Definition

spur
noun

1. A device with a spiky metal wheel, fitted to the heel of a horse-rider's boot, which is used for pressing into the horse's side to make it go faster.
2. Anything that urges or encourages greater effort or progress.
3a. A spike or pointed part, eg on a cock's leg;
3b. A similar but artifical part on a game cock;
3c. Any small spiky projection such as on the wing of certain birds or at the base of the corolla of some flowers.
4. A ridge of high land that projects out into a valley.
5a. A short branch of a tree, especially a fruit tree;
5b. A branch line or siding of a railway;
5c. A side or slip road of a motorway, etc.
6a. A breakwater;
6b. A structure which helps prevent erosion on a riverbank, etc.

verb spurred, spurring

1. To urge.

Example: The crowd spurred their team to victory
Thesaurus: stimulate, induce, incite, motivate, impel, push, goad, drive, catalyze; Antonym: block, stymie.
2. To press with spurs.
3. To hurry up.

Derivative: spurless
adj

Derivative: spurry
adj

Idiom: earn one's spurs (win one's spurs)

formerly
To prove oneself worthy of a knighthood through acts of bravery.

To show one's proficiency at something and so attain distinction.

Idiom: on the spur of the moment

Suddenly; on an impulse.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon spura.

Phrasal Verb: spur someone or something on

To incite, encourage, provoke, etc them.