spur on

Idioms  

1. Goad or urge ahead, as in The thought of winning a Pulitzer Prize spurred the reporter on. This expression transfers using spurs to make a horse go faster to incentives of other kinds. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spur on

Riegle is hopeful the data the group has collected will spur on further research, and "to prove that this is a good long-term solution for firefighters".

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

Kershaw then walked off the mound and was put on the injured list with a bone spur on his left big toe.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2025

Going forward, the team hopes that its approach for assessing the vulnerability of multiple species can spur on additional conservation efforts.

From Science Daily ● May 17, 2024

“It happens and you’re hoping that doesn’t spur on more, but James had a tough inning … and that made for a tougher inning,” Francona said.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 31, 2023

Iorek said, “Below the first spur on the track, there is a bush with resinous wood. Bring as much of that as you can.”

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

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