spark
noun uk/spɑːk/ us/spɑːrk/
(FIRE/ELECTRICITY)
C2 [ C ]火花，火星;电火花
a very small piece of fire that flies out from something that is burning, or one that is made by rubbing two hard things together, or a flash of light made by electricity
Sparks were flying out of the bonfire and blowing everywhere. 篝火中飞溅出很多火星，迸得到处都是。
You can start a fire by rubbing two dry pieces of wood together until you produce a spark. 你可以通过摩擦两块干木头直到产生火花来点火。
(CAUSE)
C2 [ S ]导火线，诱因
a first small event or problem that causes a much worse situation to develop
That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots. 那件小事是街头暴乱的导火线。
[ S ]愤怒／灵感／生命的火花（等等）
a feeling or quality that causes excitement
They kept running into each other and eventually realized there was a spark between them. 他们不断遇到对方，终于意识到他们之间有火花。
The music is mediocre because there's no spark, no thrill, no unpredictability. 音乐是平庸的，因为没有火花，没有刺激，没有出人意料的地方。
- More examples
- His speech was the spark for major riots.
- Her letter was the spark that drove him to commit murder.
(ELECTRICIAN)
UK informal (also sparks)电工
an electrician (= a person whose job is to put in and repair electrical wires and equipment)
You need a brickie and a sparks. 你需要一名泥瓦匠和一个电工。
Idiom
sparks flyidiom 激烈争论
If sparks fly between two or more people, they argue angrily.
When they get together in a meeting the sparks really fly. 他们只要在开会时碰头，就会激烈争论。
spark
verb [ T ] uk/spɑːk/ us/spɑːrk/
C2 引起，导致，触发（尤指争论或打斗）
to cause the start of something, especially an argument or fighting
This proposal will almost certainly spark another countrywide debate about immigration. 这项提议很可能会再一次在全国范围内引起关于移民的争论。
The recent interest-rate rises have sparked new problems for small businesses. 近期利率的上调给小型企业带来了新问题。
The visit of the G20 leaders sparked off (= caused the start of) mass demonstrations. G20国家领导人的到访引发了大规模示威游行。