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leap

leap

131 3.2
A sudden big change or increase
  • noun
  • /liːp/
: 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.