spur on
Push to act
To spur on is to urge forward or encourage action—from the literal use of spurs to make a horse move faster.
You can spur someone on to greater effort, or be spurred on by ambition, competition, or desperation: Her early success spurred her on to attempt bigger projects.
The phrase emphasizes pushing past hesitation or complacency.
- egg onUrge to action
- urgeStrong inner drive
- pushForce something away
- goadIncite to action
- whipStrikes or aerates
prod · drive · boost · stimulate · energize · galvanize · propel · motivate · inspire · prompt · encourage · incite · ignite · stir · nudge · get going · catalyze · activate
- encourageencourage, urge, cheer on, exhort, motivate
- Horse Idiomshold your horses, dark horse, high horse, straight from the horse's mouth, horse sense
motivation and encouragement
spur ondiscourage
Diminish someone's confidence
dishearten · demoralize · demotivate · dispirit · deter