moment (redirected from living for the moment)

at a moment's notice and on a moment's notice

with very little advance notice; with just a little bit of warning. They are always asking us to produce reports at a moment's notice.

See also: notice

big moment and moment everyone has been waiting for

the special time that everyone has been waiting for. The big moment has come. I will now announce the winner. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. Now we will learn the name of the big winner.

See also: big

Every minute counts, and Every moment counts.

Fig. time is very important. (Used especially in situations where time is very limited.) Doctor, please try to get here quickly. Every minute counts. When you take a test, you must work rapidly because every minute counts. When you're trying to meet a deadline, every moment counts.

See also: count, every, minute

for the moment and for the time being

for the present; for now; temporarily. This quick fix will have to do for the moment. This is all right for the time being. It'll have to be improved next week, however. This good feeling will last only for the time being.

live for the moment

Fig. to live only for the pleasures of the present time without planning for the future. You need to make plans for your future. You cannot live just for the moment! He lives only for the moment.

See also: live

moment of truth

Fig. the point at which someone has to face the reality of a situation. The moment of truth is here. Turn over your exam papers and begin. Now for the moment of truth when we find out whether we have got planning permission or not.

See also: truth

never a dull moment

[it's] always exciting around here. (Describes an exciting or hectic situation.) Every time I visit Jean, she has dozens of things planned for us to do: parties and theaters to attend, restaurants to try, scenic places to see. Never a dull moment. Alan: How was work today? Jane: First of all, my boss called me in to yell at me. Then I had to fire one of my subordinates. And then my desk chair broke when I sat down on it. Never a dull moment.

See also: dull, never

not a moment to spare and without a moment to spare

just in time; with no extra time. Hurry, hurry! There's not a moment to spare! I arrived without a moment to spare.

See also: spare

not for a moment

not at all; not even for a short amount of time; never. I don't want you to leave. Not for a moment! I could not wish such a horrible punishment on anyone. Not for a moment!

on the spur of the moment

Fig. suddenly; spontaneously. We decided to go on the spur of the moment. I had to leave town on the spur of the moment.

See also: spur

One moment, please.

Please wait briefly. (A polite way of acknowledging that you noticed someone's request.) John: Can you help me? Clerk: One moment, please. I will be with you shortly. Bill (answering the phone): Hello? Bob: Hello. Can I speak to Tom? Bill: One moment, please, (handing phone to Tom) It's for you. Tom: Hello, this is Tom.

See also: one, please

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a magic moment

a short period of time which is very special, especially because something happens which makes you very happy The young eagle was only in view for a few seconds, but for a bird-lover like me it was a magic moment.

See also: magic

from one moment to the next

if things change from one moment to the next, they change quickly or frequently The plans are being changed from one moment to the next. You never know from one moment to the next what kind of mood he'll be in.

See also: next, one

have your/its moments

to be sometimes very successful This album's not as good as their last one, but it has its moments.

See also: have

have a senior/blond etc. moment  (humorous)

to behave for a short time as though you are old/silly etc. I posted the letters without putting stamps on them - I must have been having a senior moment.

See also: have

in the heat of the moment

if you say or do something in the heat of the moment, you say or do it without thinking because you are angry or excited Frank doesn't hate you. He just said that in the heat of the moment.

See also: heat

on the spur of the moment

if you do something on the spur of the moment, you do it suddenly, without planning it It was something I bought on the spur of the moment, and I've regretted it ever since.

See also: spur

the man of the moment

a man who is popular or famous now because he has just done something interesting or important Mansell is the man of the moment after two marvellous victories in five days on the race track.

See also: man

the moment of truth

the time when someone has to make an important decision or when you can see if something has been successful or not The moment of truth came when I had to decide whether to move in with Jim or get a flat on my own.

See from one moment to the next

See also: truth

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(there is) never a dull moment

something interesting is always happening One thing about an ice show – there's never a dull moment.

See also: dull, never

at a moment's notice

almost immediately Everyone was packed and ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Related vocabulary: at the drop of a hat

See also: notice

at the moment

now At the moment I'm living with my parents.

Usage notes: often used to suggest that the situation may change soon: At the moment the flood is receding, but more rain is expected tonight.

for the moment

at this time for the time being For the moment, he was alone in a his hotel room. Related vocabulary: for the present

have your moments

to be partly successful This movie's not as good as her last one, but it has its moments.

See also: have

in just a moment (spoken)

after a little while in just a minute We'll be back with more news in just a moment.

See also: just

just a moment

wait a short period of time just a minute Just a moment, don't be in such a hurry.

See also: just

of the moment

popular or important now The weather has become India's biggest enemy of the moment.

on the spur of the moment

without any planning I found her old telephone number and called her on the spur of the moment.

Related vocabulary: at a moment's notice

See also: spur