拍車

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The noun 拍車 (はくしゃ) is a rider's spur and figuratively an impetus that accelerates a development.
• Basic usage: A new road can 発展に拍車を掛ける, while the literal spur is removed from a rider's boot for care.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A riding spur and figurative impetus
  • In the figurative use, it adds force to a change already under way and makes it proceed faster.