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

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

not a spark of decency

A total lack of the common, everyday courtesy, respect, and politeness that is expected and assumed by social convention. I can't believe she came to the gala when she wasn't even invited. She hasn't a spark of decency.
See also: decency, not, of, spark

spark off

1. Literally, to ignite or set fire to something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "spark" and "off." He sparked off the fireworks, then ran behind the car for cover. Police arrested the man on suspicion of sparking the forest fire off.
2. To cause something to happen or begin; to set something into motion. A noun or pronoun can be used between "spark" and "off." The question sparked off a two-hour debate about the ethics of modifying genetic code before birth. The killing sparked a series of riots off across the country, which gathered momentum into a full-blown revolution.
See also: off, spark

spark plug

One who energizes others with one's ideas and positive personality. Primarily heard in US. Kelly was the spark plug the company needed to get their new project off the ground.
See also: plug, spark

spark spread

The income made by selling electricity, after the cost of the fuel used to produce the electricity has been subtracted. We need to analyze the spark spread, to determine if the electrical plant can stay open.
See also: spark, spread

spark up

1. To begin or initiate something, especially a conversation, argument, or . A noun or pronoun can be used between "spark" and "up." I sparked up a conversation with the man sitting next to me, and it turned out that he had gone to high school with my college roommate. What are the odds? The president's actions have been sparking up debates and arguments around the country about its ethics.
2. To ignite a tobacco product in order to smoke it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "spark" and "up." If you absolutely have to spark up after dinner, please go do it outside. I'll always remember my father sitting in his great big armchair sparking cigars up as he watched television into the night.
See also: spark, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spark something off

 
1. Lit. to ignite something flammable or explosive. The lightning sparked afire off. The match sparked off a raging inferno.
2. Fig. to cause or start some violent or energetic activity. We were afraid there would be a riot and the speaker nearly sparked it off. The speaker sparked off quite a discussion.
See also: off, spark
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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.

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

spark off

v.
1. To ignite some fire: Forest rangers think that a cigarette sparked off the blaze. After the fire was extinguished, investigators tried to determine what sparked it off.
2. To set something in motion; trigger something: The assassination sparked off a revolution. Historians disagree about what sparked the riot off.
See also: off, spark

spark up

v.
1. To initiate some conversation, friendship, or debate: On the train, I sparked up a conversation with the person next to me. The trial sparked a debate up over free speech.
2. To light some cigarette, cigar, or similar product: He lit a match and sparked up his pipe. She took a cigar from the case and sparked it up. The smokers went outside to spark up.
See also: spark, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
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
According to the social media firm, anyone can now create and publish their own Spark AR effects on Instagram.
Instagram users can now create their own augmented reality face filters
At this year's F8, plans to move out of Spark AR's closed beta on Instagram and give the community of Spark AR creators the power to publish their effects on Instagram were announced .
Facebook's Spark AR now lets anyone build and share effects on Instagram
Global Spark Plug Market is estimated to grow significantly in the forecast period owing to the rising use of iridium material in new engine models.
Spark Plug Market To Grow Significantly Owing To Rising Use Of Iridium Material In New Engine Models Till 2023 / Million Insights
With the addition of Zoosk, Spark will more than double in size and the combined business will be considerably more valuable than the two stand-alone entities.
Spark Networks SE Closes Acquisition of US Dating Firm Zoosk
Splunk is supporting many of Spark's products and services, from its Consumers, Business and Wholesale Segment Tribes.
Spark New Zealand keeps mobiles connected with Splunk
Under the terms of the agreement, Spark will acquire 100% of Zoosk's shares with a combination of cash and stock valuing the company at approximately USD 255 million based on the closing price of Spark Networks SE stock on March 20, 2019.
Spark Networks SE agrees to acquire Zoosk
And some of them will be telling their effective use of the online funding platform during Spark Fest 2019 on March 23, from 8 a.m.
Spark lights flame of entrepreneurship
Located between Dammam and Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, Spark is a three-phase 50km 2 hub for energy, industrialisation, and technology that will report Phase 1 construction completed in 2021.
Saudi Crown Prince unveils Aramco energy megaproject Spark
The Spark Ecommerce Group has provided out-source call centre and fulfilment services to the likes of FitFlop, Rocket Dog and Barbour for 20 years, building up a 200-strong workforce.
Firm Sparks attention of top delivery business
TECNO Mobile may have continued to consolidate its position as the number one smartphone brand in the African mobile market with the release of yet another outstanding smartphone,the Tecno Spark 2.
Tecno Mobile brings Spark 2 laced with Google Android Go
(NYSE: CTL) today announced it has secured Cisco[R] Powered Cisco Spark Service Provider (SP) designation, confirming the company's ability to support the complete portfolio of Cisco Spark solutions.
CenturyLink--CenturyLink expands Unified Communications and Collaboration service offerings with Cisco Spark, earns Cisco Powered Cisco Spark Service Provider designation--8/3/2018
Muriel Spark is currently over all of them like a rash.
THE LIFE PRIMES; MURIEL SPARK AUTHOR'S LEGACY GETS A FRESH READING.. 100 YEARS AFTER HER BIRTH Scotland celebrates novelist's centenary with exhibition and TV documentary charting her beginnings as an aspiring write r and how she became literary legend behind some iconic books
Orange Business Services has registered more than 200,000 user subscriptions for Cisco Spark and hundreds of the popular Spark Boards for more than 20 multinational enterprise customers, and the momentum is accelerating.
Orange Business Services Surpasses 200,000 User Subscriptions for Cisco Spark
Called the ZTE Blade Spark, the smartphone features a fingerprint scanner and a 5.5-inch display.
ZTE Launches $99 Smartphone On AT&T