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leap

leap

131 3.2
A sudden big change or increase
  • noun
  • /liːp/
translation icon : avance
  • Remember the initial sessions and recall some developmental leaps that you have witnessed.
  • a leap forward
  • quantum leap
  • great leap

The iPhone was, you know, this incredible leap forward in technology.

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Examples

  • The iPhone was, you know, this incredible leap forward in technology.

  • It's a leap of faith.

  • It's a huge leap of a decision.

  • And so that was like the first big massive leap that we took.

  • I understand what kind of a leap that is.

  • That already would be a tremendous leap forward for our collective consciousness.

  • It's a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.

  • In an article published that same year, Perrott made another intellectual leap by introducing "days of disability."

    Academic text (2011)
  • The second area that is growing by leaps and bounds is copyright issues associated with mass digitization projects.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Transitioning from traditional methods to digital marketing represents a significant leap in the company's strategy.

Synonyms

transition
vsleap
449 3.7

A period of change from one state or stage to another

is sudden or large change rather than a gradual or extended process
turn
vsleap
343 3.4

A sudden change in a situation or story

is broader, stressing size or importance as well as suddenness
turning point
vsleap
104 3.7

A moment when an important event changes what happens next

is about a sudden or large change itself, not only the decisive moment
jump
vsleap
76 3.5

A sudden change from one state or level to another

is about sudden or significant changes, not only abrupt shifts
35 4.1

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

is focused on sudden major change rather than mere unexpected shifts
quantum leap
vsleap
8 5.5

A sudden big change that makes something much better

covers sudden or significant changes that need not be progress
rapid change
vsleap
6 3.3

A quick move from one state to another

emphasizes both suddenness and significant size, not just speed
seismic shift
vsleap
3 6.0

A very large and sudden change in ideas, beliefs, or ways of doing things

is the broader sudden or significant change not limited to ideas
saltation
vsleap
  • Specialized
9.9

A sudden change from one state to another

is the general sudden or major change, not only technical usage
quantum jump
vsleap
7.9

A very large and sudden improvement or step forward

is more general change and not always about clear improvement

Antonyms

439 3.9

A gradual loss in amount, quality, or value

1 6.5

Still water that does not move in pipes or lakes, causing poor quality

Idioms

Make a brave decision even when it feels risky

Think carefully about possible risks before you act

1 7.3

To do something risky without knowing what will happen

1 9.5

To tell someone rudely to leave

A small action that leads to a very large benefit for all people

Compounds

leap of faith
  • Informal
27 6.1

Doing something risky because you believe it will work

8 5.5

A sudden big change that makes something much better

5 1.8

A year that happens every four years and has 366 days

3 2.3

An extra day added to the calendar every four years, February 29

leap second
  • Specialized
1 6.8

An extra second added to clocks so they match how fast the Earth turns

How Significant

breakthrough
242 3.9
leap
131 3.2
surge
132 4.2
change
1.1
shift
363 3.5
adjustment
133 2.9

Surface Forms

leap singular
leaps plural

Etymology

Leap for a big change comes from the same old idea of a physical jump, from hlēapan 'to jump', so a 'leap' in progress is like a big jump forward from one state to another.