a sharp pointed object that riders sometimes wear on the heels of their boots and use to encourage their horse to go faster 马刺；靴刺 He dug his spurs into the horse’s sides. 他用马刺踢马的两侧。
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；激励；刺激；鼓舞 - spur (to something)
His speech was a powerful spur to action. 他的讲话很有鼓动力。 A few encouraging words might provide just the spur she needs. 几句鼓励的话可能正好提供她需要的激励。 - spur for something
The research provided a spur for reform. 这项研究推动了改革。
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；支脉 a road or a railway track that leads from the main road or line （公路或铁路的）支线，岔线
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 获得名望；取得成功