on impulse

On a whim

On impulse describes acting from a sudden urge rather than deliberation or planning.

The phrase captures decisions made in the moment, without forethought: She bought the dress on impulse, On impulse, he quit his job.

Impulse buying is a recognized phenomenon in retail, where stores position items to trigger such unplanned purchases.

Related

heat of the moment · instinct · on a whim · excitement · buying spree · urge · unplanned · leap of faith · throw caution · wild hair · automaticity · snap judgment · improvisation · reactivity · immediacy · whimsy · rashness · spontaneity

Opposites
deliberation and planning

on impulsedeliberately

Done with intention

intentionally · by design · calculatedly · methodically · strategically

emotional vs. rational motivation

on impulserationally

In a logical manner

logically · analytically · dispassionately · level-headedly · coolly

caution and restraint

on impulsecautiously

In a guarded manner

prudently · circumspectly · guardedly · judiciously · warily

Family

impulse, impulsive, repulse, compulsion, compulsive, impulsively, impulses, impulsiveness, impulsion

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G