spare no expense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spare no expense" is correct and usable in written English.
This means to not hesitate to spend money on something, usually for a certain purpose. For example, "We must spare no expense to make sure this event is successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

They" — the C.I.A. — "spare no expense.

The New Yorker

Glass wanted to spare no expense.

The New York Times - Sports

We wanted to spare no expense".

The New York Times

Many trainers spare no expense on their horses' good health.

The New York Times

Cisco will spare no expense in promoting the Umi systems.

The New York Times

"I told the chief to spare no expense," Mr. Villaraigosa said in an interview Wednesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

First off there's the spare-no-expense production.

The New York Times - Arts

Competing in a global economy requires spare-no-expense effort to improve education.

The New York Times

At the same time, Americans need a spare-no-expense effort to create jobs and retrain sidelined workers.

The New York Times

Those Games were intended to be China's coming-out party, a spare-no-expense national flexing of the muscles.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Booker said he would immediately impose a spare-no-expense program to eliminate inappropriate school behavior.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a high-end service or product, using "spare no expense" can highlight the quality and attention to detail that goes into it.

Common error

While "spare no expense" is a vivid expression, overuse can make your writing sound cliché or overly dramatic. Consider using synonyms like "go all out" or "spend whatever it takes" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare no expense" functions as an idiomatic expression used to emphasize a commitment to spending freely to achieve a specific goal or ensure the highest quality. It's often used to reassure or persuade others that cost is not a limiting factor, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spare no expense" is a common idiomatic expression that means to not hesitate to spend money on something, especially to achieve the best possible result. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki contexts. While "spare no expense" is generally acceptable, be mindful of overusing it or using it in situations where frugality is more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "go all out" or "spend whatever it takes" for variety. Remember to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the commitment to achieving a goal regardless of financial cost.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend whatever it takes

This alternative directly emphasizes the willingness to spend any amount of money necessary to achieve a specific goal.

cost is no object

This phrase explicitly states that the price is not a limiting factor, emphasizing the importance of achieving the desired outcome regardless of expense.

pull out all the stops

This alternative highlights the use of every available means to achieve something, implying no limitations on spending or effort.

go all out

This alternative implies making a maximum effort or investment, not just in terms of money, but also in effort and resources.

go the extra mile

This phrase suggests exceeding expectations and doing more than what is strictly necessary, often involving additional costs.

don't hold back

This phrase means to not hesitate or limit oneself, implying a generous allocation of resources without concern for cost.

leave no stone unturned

This suggests a thorough and exhaustive approach, implying that all possible resources will be used, regardless of cost.

do not stint

This suggests being generous and not holding back on resources or money, emphasizing the avoidance of frugality.

be extravagant

This alternative emphasizes a lavish and luxurious approach, implying a willingness to spend freely on something.

be generous

This suggests a willingness to give or spend freely, implying an open-handed approach to resources and money.

FAQs

How can I use "spare no expense" in a sentence?

You can use "spare no expense" to indicate that cost is not a limiting factor in achieving a desired outcome. For example, "They decided to "spare no expense" in renovating their historic home."

What does it mean to "spare no expense"?

To "spare no expense" means to not hesitate to spend money on something, typically to ensure the best possible outcome or quality. It implies a willingness to invest significantly in a particular endeavor.

Are there situations where it's not appropriate to use "spare no expense"?

Using "spare no expense" might be inappropriate in contexts where frugality or cost-effectiveness is valued. It could also be seen as insensitive in situations where resources are limited or when discussing charitable causes.

What are some alternative phrases for "spare no expense"?

You can use alternatives like "go all out", "spend whatever it takes", or "cost is no object" depending on the specific context.