spur

[US]/spɜː(r)/
[UK]/spɜːr/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a pointed device or object used to urge on a horse; something that encourages or stimulates; a slope on a hill
vi. to ride a horse at a fast pace
vt. to encourage or stimulate; to urge on

Phrases & Collocations

spur someone on

earn your spurs

spur economic growth

spur gear

spur on

spur dike

spur track

spur line

Example Sentences

It was a spur-of-themoment decision.

a spur-of-the moment choice.

spur back the lateral shoots.

This book is a spur to the child's imagination.

International competition is a spur to modernization.

The spurs jangled noisily.

profit was both the spur and the reward of enterprise.

Pride spurs him to work hard.

a lackadaisical defence left Spurs adrift in the second half.

he misdirected a clearance to allow a Spurs equalizer.

the Spurs match which ITV had networked.

Such stories serve as a spur to children's imagination.

It is the bridle and spur that makes a good horse.

Spurs' dodgy defence had thrown away a 2-0 lead.

governments cut interest rates to spur demand.

Only the capture of an Enigma machine and the invention of radar could spur a fightback.

On the spur of the moment, they decided to hold a fancy dress party.

Real-world Examples

You got married spur of the moment.

Source: The Big Bang Theory Season 10

Such reforms would also spur on a slowing economy by boosting domestic consumption.

Source: The Economist - China

It was a spur of the moment thing.

Source: The Big Bang Theory (Video Version) Season 9

But do you think my hands were as great a handicap as the bone spurs?

Source: The Old Man and the Sea

Astronomers think that Orion spur's where your system appears.

Source: Children's Encyclopedia Song

Mr Gates has helped to spur progress.

Source: The Economist - Technology

Ideas that will spur innovation far into the future.

Source: How Steve Jobs Changed the World

So boredom spurs people on to change something.

Source: 6 Minute English

Tedium itself can be a useful spur to inspiration.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

Insurance can also be a spur for corrective action.

Source: The Economist - Finance

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