Definition

1. Noun:

   • A jump, especially a long or high one: A physical movement where a person or animal pushes off the ground to cover distance or height.
   • A sudden large increase or change: A rapid and significant rise or transition.
   • The distance covered by a jump: The space crossed in a single leap.

2. Verb:

   • To jump high or a long way: To propel oneself forcefully through the air from one point to another.
   • To move or act suddenly and energetically: To spring or rush into action.
   • To increase or change suddenly and dramatically: To rise or transition abruptly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The athlete made a spectacular leap over the hurdle.
  • The company's profits showed a huge leap this quarter.
  • It was a leap of seven meters.

• Verb:

  • The cat can leap from the floor to the top of the refrigerator.
  • She leapt to her feet when she heard the news.
  • The conversation suddenly leapt from politics to philosophy.

Advanced Usage

• "A leap in the dark": An action taken without knowing what the outcome will be; a risky venture.

  • Starting his own business felt like a leap in the dark.

• "By/in leaps and bounds": With very rapid progress.

  • Her English is improving by leaps and bounds.

• "Leap at the opportunity": To accept an opportunity eagerly and immediately.

  • When they offered her the job, she leapt at the opportunity.

Variants and Related Words

• Leapfrog (verb/noun): A game where players jump over each other's backs; to advance by overtaking others.

  • The new technology allowed the company to leapfrog its competitors.

• Leaping (adjective/gerund): The act of jumping.

  • The leaping flames were visible from miles away.

Synonyms

• Jump: To push oneself off the ground.
• Bound: To move forward with long, springing steps.
• Spring: To move suddenly and rapidly.
• Surge: To increase suddenly and powerfully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leap out: To be very noticeable or obvious.

  • The spelling mistake leapt out at me from the page.

• Leap up: To jump to a standing position quickly.

  • He leapt up from his chair to answer the door.

Related Idioms

• Look before you leap: Think carefully about the possible consequences before you act.

  • I know you're excited about the offer, but remember to look before you leap.

• One's heart leaps into one's mouth: To be suddenly very frightened or surprised.

  • My heart leapt into my mouth when I heard the crash in the next room.

Noun

1. the distance leaped (or to be leaped)
   • a leap of 10 feet
2. a sudden and decisive increase
   • a jump in attendance
3. an abrupt transition
   • a successful leap from college to the major leagues
4. a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards

Verb

1. cause to jump or leap
   • the trainer jumped the tiger through the hoop
2. jump down from an elevated point
   • the parachutist didn't want to jump
   • every year, hundreds of people jump off the Golden Gate bridge
   • the widow leapt into the funeral pyre
3. pass abruptly from one state or topic to another
   • leap into fame
   • jump to a conclusion
   • jump from one thing to another
4. move forward by leaps and bounds
   • The horse bounded across the meadow
   • The child leapt across the puddle
   • Can you jump over the fence?