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TinaMr Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

On the spur of the moment

Can these idioms be used in the context:
"on the spur of the moment" and "on the heat of the moment"?
Thank you!
  

Top answer

Thank you! They both mean "quite quickly", but the contexts would differ. I bought that vase on the spur of the moment would not indicate any anger, just lack of will power.

— Philip

  • Thank you!
  • They both mean "quite quickly", but the contexts would differ.
  • I bought that vase on the spur of the moment would not indicate any anger, just lack of will power.
  • I called him a bad name would indicate anger, with the same sort of spontaneity as well.
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5 Answers
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TinaMr Can these idioms be used in the context:"on the spur of the moment" and "on the heat of the moment"?Thank you!
They both mean "quite quickly", but the contexts would differ. I bought that vase on the spur of the moment would not indicate any anger, just lack of will power. I called him a bad name would indicate anger, with the same sort
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I called him a bad name in the heat of the the moment would indicate anger, with the same sort of spontaneity as well.
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Philip and Clive, thank you very much for your replies! As I've understood the difference between these idioms is that "on the spur of the moment" can be used in both positive and negative context, whereas "in the heat of the moment" only in negative.
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Again, thanks for catching my omission.
Clive I called him a bad name in the heat of the the moment would indicate anger, with the same sort of spontaneity as well.
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TinaMrPhilip and Clive, thank you very much for your replies! As I've understood the difference between these idioms is that "on the spur of the moment" can be used in both positive and negative context, whereas "in the heat of the moment" only in negative.
I think that's a good analysis.
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