who is considered a bright spark?

[Kenny同志]

What type of people are considered bright sparks? Is the word disapproving?

It would be best if someone could give me an exact definition.

thank you folks

[muirm]

I have never heard this term, but dictionary says:

noun Brit. informal, often ironic

a clever or witty person.

Sounds like it is often used sarcastically to suggest a person is not clever or witty. Maybe someone from the UK or better-read than I can comment with first-hand insight.

[abcdefg]

It means somebody with a lot of potential even though it is early in his or her career. I've seen and heard it applied to students as well as junior executives who have just joined a company. The term is not used a lot in American English; perhaps it's more frequent in British English. I'm not familiar with it's ironic use (used to mean the opposite of what it should.)

EDIT: Sounds like I am behind the times (no great surprise there.)

http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/BRIGHTSPARK

Noun: bright spark

1. Someone being or trying to be irritatingly clever; a smart alec
   - smart-ass [N. Amer], smart-arse [brit, Cdn], smartypants, smarty, smartie
   

[anonymoose]

I think it depends on the context in which it is used. It may have a sarcastic undertone in some situations, but generally I'd say it simply refers to a bright person.

[Kenny同志]

Thank you for your comments, everybody.

So the word is much different from "street-smart", am I right?

I also have the feeling that "street-smart" is slightly disapproving/derogatory.

[tooironic]

I agree with everyone's comments about bright spark.

Street-smart as no negative connotation AFAIK - just refers to someone who is good at dealing with issues typical of urban life, though I suppose there could be a criminal element to that.

[HedgePig]

I've mostly heard "bright spark" used in a slightly sarcastic way often in a question. For example, "Which bright spark had the idea to free up disk space by deleting all my work files?" I have to confess that I remember my mother using this phrase a lot in my youth.....(and definitely not in a complementary way!)

I agree with tooironic that "street smart" doesn't have negative connotations. It's used for someone who knows how to get things done quickly and efficiently. e.g. "He may not have done well at school but he's pretty street-smart."

[Kenny同志]

Many thanks for your comments. It's clear now.

[Matty]

I've never heard it used sarcastically, to me I've only ever encountered it as a compliment but usually directed to those who are more youthful than the speaker. As to say this kid is quite skillful and infering the kid has a lot of potential for the future.