bright spark

bright spark

A person who is regarded as clever or intelligent. The term can also be used sarcastically to mean the opposite. Primarily heard in UK, Australia, New Zealand. Timmy's the bright spark of the family—he graduated at the top of his class. Some bright spark at the auto repair shop forgot to tighten the lug nuts on my wheels after he rotated my tires.
See also: bright, spark
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a bright spark

mainly BRITISH
A bright spark is a clever person. But the girl from Dublin is not just a pretty face. The bright spark is studying archaeology and the history of art at UCD. Some bright spark at the club seems to think that the best way to attract young fans is to turn the football stadium into a theme park for the day. Note: This expression is usually used to mean the opposite, referring humorously to a person with stupid ideas.
See also: bright, spark
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bright spark

a clever person (often used ironically to or of a person who has done something you consider stupid). British informal
See also: bright, spark
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(a) bright ˈspark

(British English, informal, often ironic) a lively and intelligent person: What bright spark (= stupid person) left the front door open all night?
See also: bright, spark
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a bright spark
  • Who would have thought it?
  • vote of confidence
  • a (real) winner
  • (Is) that everything?
  • (one's) heart bleeds for (someone)
  • couldn't happen to a nicer (person)
  • take (something) under consideration
  • this just in
References in periodicals archive
"He obviously looks like the bright spark in the team, he looks like he can score goals.
The Bright Spark Scholarship, developed by Young Pioneers, is designed to empower vulnerable young people to overcome adversity, giving them valuable life and business skills to help them break out of their circumstances and be inspired to achieve their full potential.
Labour cabinet member for children's services Brigid Jones said 'bright sparks' in the legal department came up with the idea of using a little-used but long-standing legal power with its roots in the feudal system.
Bright spark TOWIE star Lydia is back and proving she's more than an Essex girl PAGES 04&05 Win a family camping kit worth PS500 PAGE 16 Stars David Wells on the week ahead PAGE 10 Books Shari reviews John Gordon Sinclair's latest PAGE 13 Property Ross McKay has the answer to tenement worry PAGE 41 Your new Saturday family..
She was a very pretty and intelligent foal, a real bright spark.
He observed a bright spark near the helicopter, which then dove toward the freeway, impacting the pavement directly in front of him.
Bright Spark Award (Part I): Golfing prodigy Rhys Davies.
Des Morris, and his wife Eunice, made the six-hour journey to the competition with their home-bred yearling, Dovevale Bright Spark, who had already won the overall champion Sports Horse at Pembroke County in the yearling, two and three-year-old class.
BACK in the 1960s some bright spark had the idea of making Joe Brown the chirpy Cockney answer to clean-living Cliff Richard, with dodgy novelty hits, ballads and a band called The Bruvvers.
This caused a brief lull in the proceedings--there being no Americans among the crowd--until some bright spark's eyes lighted upon the USA's roving epicurean ambassador, Colonel Sanders, standing in front of one of his gourmet, fried-chicken restaurants.
THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL Saturday, C4, 9pm PREMIERE Maggie Smith (above) is among the 'Slumdog Pensioners' enticed to a refurbished dump in Jaipur managed by bright spark Dev Patel.
There's probably some bright spark at the BBC who believes the corporation is busy shifting its focus to "the regions".
They are now spreading these facilities hither and thither all over the place - until one day some bright spark comes up with the idea of building one place to house all the departments - a new hospital.
PLEASE could someone tell me who is the bright spark who decided to alter the road between the roundabouts at Newport Road, St Mellons?
I ASK, who is the bright spark that thought of building another rail line capable of trains travelling at 250mph between Birmingham and London?