on a whim

on a whim — idiom

1. used when someone does something suddenly and without planning, simply because t

1.慣用語B1
釋義

used when someone does something suddenly and without planning, simply because they feel like it at that moment.

例句

Talia took a train to the coast on a whim and visited the beaches.

adverbial position: after the verb phrase

Faisal bought a used guitar on a whim, though he had never played before.

collocation: buy something on a whim

同義詞
  • impulsively

    more formal; often used in psychology or self-description ('I acted impulsively')

  • on the spur of the moment

    very similar meaning; slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech

  • spontaneously

    can be positive (creative, natural) while 'on a whim' is more neutral

反義詞

文法句型

do something on a whim

用法筆記

Usually describes a single, past action. The phrase can appear at the beginning of a sentence (On a whim, she…) or after the main verb (She did it on a whim). The fronted position places more emphasis on the suddenness.

常見錯誤

❌I decided on a whim to study.' (ambiguous placement)
✅On a whim, I decided to study abroad.' or 'I decided to study abroad on a whim.
💡Place 'on a whim' next to the sudden action it describes.
❌He always eats on a whim.' (habitual action)
✅He ate at a new restaurant on a whim.
💡'on a whim' describes a one-time impulsive decision, not a regular pattern.