2spring verb
springs; sprang 
/ˈspræŋ/ or sprung /ˈsprʌŋ/; sprung spring·ing 1 [no obj] a : to move or leap suddenly forward or upward
▪ The lion was waiting to spring. ▪ The deer sprang up the path. ▪ I sprang to my feet. ▪ He sprang out of his seat and ran to the door.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to move quickly to a different position
▪ The lid sprang open/shut. ▪ The branch sprang back and hit her. ▪ The rope stretches and springs back into shape. [=returns to its original shape] 2 [+ obj] informal : to help (someone) to get out of or escape from jail, prison, etc.
▪ He tried to spring his accomplice. ▪ His lawyer managed to get him sprung from prison.
▪ The lion was waiting to spring. ▪ The deer sprang up the path. ▪ I sprang to my feet. ▪ He sprang out of his seat and ran to the door.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to move quickly to a different position
▪ The lid sprang open/shut. ▪ The branch sprang back and hit her. ▪ The rope stretches and springs back into shape. [=returns to its original shape]
▪ He tried to spring his accomplice. ▪ His lawyer managed to get him sprung from prison.
spring a leak
: to start to leak : to suddenly let water in or out through a crack or break
▪ The boat/pipe sprang a leak.
▪ The boat/pipe sprang a leak.
spring a surprise
: to do, ask, or say something that is not expected
▪ Everyone knows she's not likely to spring a surprise. ▪ The teacher sprang a surprise on us and gave a quiz.
▪ Everyone knows she's not likely to spring a surprise. ▪ The teacher sprang a surprise on us and gave a quiz.
spring a trap
: to capture someone or something (such as an animal or criminal) with a trap — often + on ▪ Police sprang a trap on the drug smugglers.
spring for [phrasal verb]
spring for (something) US, informal : to pay for (something) : to spend money on (something)
▪ She refuses to spring for a new coat. ▪ I'll spring for dinner.
▪ She refuses to spring for a new coat. ▪ I'll spring for dinner.
spring from [phrasal verb]
spring from (something) informal : to start from or be caused by (something)
▪ The idea sprang from [=came from] a dream I had.
▪ The idea sprang from [=came from] a dream I had.
spring from the loins — see loin
spring into/to action/life
: to become suddenly very active and energetic
▪ They sprang into action as soon as they received their orders. ▪ The crowd sprang to life after the first goal was scored.
▪ They sprang into action as soon as they received their orders. ▪ The crowd sprang to life after the first goal was scored.
spring on [phrasal verb]
spring (something) on (someone) : to surprise (someone) with (something, such as a request or announcement)
▪ You should try to prepare them for your decision instead of just springing it on them suddenly.
▪ You should try to prepare them for your decision instead of just springing it on them suddenly.
spring to mind — see 1mind
spring up [phrasal verb]
: to grow or appear suddenly
▪ The weeds sprang up overnight. ▪ New housing developments are springing up all over the state.
▪ The weeds sprang up overnight. ▪ New housing developments are springing up all over the state.
tears spring to your eyes
◊If tears spring to your eyes, you suddenly start to cry.
▪ Tears sprang to his eyes when he read about the accident.
▪ Tears sprang to his eyes when he read about the accident.
