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Phrase(s): spark something off
1. Lit. to ignite something flammable or explosive. • The lightning sparked a fire off. • The match sparked off a raging inferno. 2. Fig. to cause or start some violent or energetic activity. • We were afraid there would be a riot and the speaker nearly sparked it off. • The speaker sparked off quite a discussion.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs