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# not the brightest spark

idiom (noun phrase used after «be»: not the brightest spark)

«not the brightest spark» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, humorous) not very clever.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly to call someone not clever; «a bright spark» is a clever person. Humorous register, mostly UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

### Examples

- He's a lovely lad, but not the brightest spark.
- Some bright spark left the gate open and the dog ran off.
- I'm not the brightest spark in maths, so I practise a lot.
- Our new neighbour isn't the brightest spark — he washed his phone.
- «Who locked the keys in the car?» «Some bright spark did.»
- He's not the brightest spark, but nobody works harder.

### Note

«Some bright spark» is often sarcastic and means «some fool». Plain words: not clever, stupid. Same family as «not the brightest bulb».