A bright spark: The English We Speak - YouTube

Feifei: Hello, this The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.

Rob: And hello, I'm Rob.

Feifei: Hey, Rob. You know we've got a bright spark in our office?

Rob: A bright spark? Oh yes – by that you mean someone intelligent…

Feifei: Well…

Rob: Someone full of energy…

I didn't exactly…

Rob: Someone with clever ideas. Feifei, there's no need to waste everyone's time. Just say my name! Rob is the bright spark in the office.

Feifei: Ermm... Rob, that is just one definition of 'a bright spark'.

A bright spark can describe someone who is clever, intelligent with lots of energy.

But this isn't the definition that applies to you Rob!

Rob: So come on, Feifei. When else would you describe someone as 'a bright spark?

Feifei: Well, it can be used sarcastically

and humorously to describe someone

who thinks they are intelligent

but actually does something stupid. A bit like this…

Which bright spark suggested we go for a walk on the wettest day of the year?!

Come on, own up – who's the bright spark

who turned the power off and caused everything in the freezer to melt?

Are you the bright spark who told the other team our game plan?

I think you owe us an apology.

Feifei: This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English.

And we've discovered that 'a bright spark' can either

be a very smart person or someone who has done something stupid.

So I'm sorry to say, Rob, you are the second kind of bright spark!

Rob: Oh really. Why is that?

Feifei: You left the window open last night

and this morning I found all my documents and scripts blown all over the floor.

Rob: Are you sure? A bright spark like me would never do something like that.

Feifei: Rob, it's exactly what a bright spark like you might do –

and it means I've lost the last page of this script.

Rob: Oh really! I think I can remember what it said. Something like - 'Sorry, Rob.

You are wise and clever and the brightest spark I have ever known'.

Feifei: I don't think so, Rob. Which bright spark would write something as cringey as that?

Rob: Err... Time to go I think.

Feifei: Good idea. Bye.

Rob: Bye.