spark plug
spark plug — noun
1. a small metal part placed inside an engine that uses an electric current to crea
a small metal part placed inside an engine that uses an electric current to create the spark which ignites the fuel and starts the motor.
The mechanic checked all the spark plugs before the race began.
collocation: check the spark plugs
Mira replaced the old spark plug in her car to improve fuel use.
collocation: replace a spark plug
A faulty spark plug can stop an engine from starting at all.
Without a working spark plug, the truck's engine would not fire.
The garage kept a box of new spark plugs on the shelf for customers.
- ignition plug
less common technical synonym used mainly in automotive manuals
- glow plug
a similar part used in diesel engines that heats air rather than producing a spark — not interchangeable
文法句型
spark plug + verb (fits into, produces, ignites)
用法筆記
The plural form spark plugs is very common when referring to all the units in an engine (most car engines have four or more cylinders, each with its own spark plug).
常見錯誤
2. someone who brings energy and enthusiasm to a group or project, making others fe
someone who brings energy and enthusiasm to a group or project, making others feel excited and motivated to take action.
Bao was the spark plug of the team, always pushing everyone to try harder.
collocation: spark plug of + [group]
As club president, Yasmin became the spark plug for many fresh events.
informal figurative use
The company needed a spark plug to get the stalled project moving again.
Their young coach was the real spark plug behind the school's sports revival.
- motivator
more general; focuses on encouraging others rather than initiating action
- driving force
slightly more formal; emphasises the person's power to keep things moving
- catalyst
formal and technical; suggests causing change without necessarily taking part
- dead weight
informal; a person who slows a group down rather than energising it
文法句型
spark plug + of [group]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with a following of-phrase or behind-phrase that names the group or activity. It is usually singular and takes an article (a / the). The literal meaning (engine part) is far more common; use the figurative sense only in informal or journalistic contexts.