flicker vs spark up

flicker

verb
  • To burn or shine unsteadily, or with a wavering light. 

  • To flutter or flap. 

  • To keep going on and off; to appear and disappear for short moments; to flutter. 

noun
  • Any of certain small woodpeckers, especially of the genus Colaptes. 

  • One who flicks. 

  • An unsteady flash of light. 

  • A short moment. 

spark up

verb
  • To light up; light a cigarette or start smoking a pipe, bong, etc. 

  • To provide electrification. 

  • To initiate (a conversation, debate etc.) 

  • to make more exotic or fun 

  • to rekindle 

How often have the words flicker and spark up occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )