(~s, ~ring, ~red)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If one thing ~s you to do another, it encourages you to do it.
It’s the money that ~s these fishermen to risk a long ocean journey in their flimsy boats...
His friend’s plight had ~red him into taking part.
= urge
VERB: V n to-inf, V n to/into n/-ing
•
Spur on means the same as ~ .
Their attitude, rather than reining him back, only seemed to ~ Philip on...
Criticism can be of great use; we may not like it at the time, but it can ~ us on to greater things.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V n P to n
2.
If something ~s a change or event, it makes it happen faster or sooner. (JOURNALISM)
The administration may put more emphasis on ~ring economic growth...
VERB: V n
3.
Something that acts as a ~ to something else encourages a person or organization to do that thing or makes it happen more quickly.
...a belief in competition as a ~ to efficiency...
N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N to n
4.
Spurs are small metal wheels with sharp points that are attached to the heels of a rider’s boots. The rider uses them to make their horse go faster.
N-COUNT: usu pl
5.
The ~ of a hill or mountain is a piece of ground which sticks out from its side.
N-COUNT
6.
If you do something on the ~ of the moment, you do it suddenly, without planning it beforehand.
They admitted they had taken a vehicle on the ~ of the moment...
PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n