make the sparks fly
make the sparks fly
1. To cause disruption, confusion, or turmoil. The CEO's resignation made the sparks fly in the media about the tech giant's future. My mom will make the sparks fly if she finds out we took her car without asking.
2. To do or attempt something with great energy, enthusiasm, and skill. The team's quarterback really made the sparks fly on Sunday, making over 30 completed passes for four touchdowns and running for a total of 250 yards all by himself.
See also: fly, make, Sparks
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make the sparks fly
Start a fight or argument, as in If Mary finds out he went to the races without her, that will make the sparks fly. In this idiom, the small particles of a fire called sparks are transferred to an inflammatory situation. [Early 1900s]
See also: fly, make, Sparks
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- Sparks
- make the feathers fly
- make the feathers/fur fly, to
- make the fur fly
- make the dust fly
- to a person
- that's all for
- that's all for (someone or something)
- desert a sinking ship
- deserting/leaving a sinking ship