a sharp pointed object that riders sometimes wear on the heels of their boots and use to encourage their horse to go faster 馬刺；靴刺 He dug his spurs into the horse’s sides. 他用馬刺踢馬的兩側。
Oxford Collocations Dictionary… of spurs- pair
- dig in
- dig into something
- [usually singular]
a fact or an event that makes you want to do something better or more quickly 鞭策；激勵；刺激；鼓舞 - spur (to something)
His speech was a powerful spur to action. 他的講話很有鼓動力。 A few encouraging words might provide just the spur she needs. 幾句鼓勵的話可能正好提供她需要的激勵。 - spur for something
The research provided a spur for reform. 這項研究推動了改革。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- powerful
- act as
- be
- give (somebody)
- …
- spur for
- spur to
- spur (to something)
an area of high ground that sticks out from a mountain or hill 山嘴；尖坡；支脈 a road or a railway track that leads from the main road or line （公路或鐵路的）支線，岔線
Word OriginOld English spora, spura, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch spoor and German Sporn, also to spurn.
Idioms
on the spur of the moment
win/earn your spurs
- (formal)
to become famous or successful 獲得名望；取得成功