spark off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
My letter to the newspaper sparked off an investigation into government corruption.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “spark off” mean?
To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.
Is “spark off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.