to spare

Idioms

In addition to what is needed, extra, left over, as in We paid our bills and still had money to spare. This expression uses spare in the sense of “leftover” or “unused,” a usage dating from the late 1500s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Last season, McLaren reigned supreme as Britain's Lando Norris was crowned champion for the first time and the team secured back-to-back constructors' titles with six races to spare.

From BBC

It meant England were able to win with three balls to spare and progress through the Super 8s phase unbeaten.

From BBC

Ahmed lofted Mitchell Santner for another six from the final ball of the 19th over, leaving five to get from the last and England completed a fifth successive victory with three balls to spare.

From BBC

"We jokingly said, are we still in Niger? I mean, we drove for a day and a half until we had no more gas to spare because we wouldn't get back."

From Barron's

South Africa, who beat West Indies by nine wickets to maintain their 100% record at this tournament, join England in qualifying for the semi-finals with a game to spare.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023