leap

Universal Words verb, noun verb (leapt, leapt ) or (leaped, leaped) 1 to jump high or a long way: [V, +adv./prep.] A dolphin leapt out of the water. * We leapt over the stream. * [VN] The horse leapt a five-foot wall. 2 [V+adv./prep.] to move or do sth suddenly and quickly: She leapt out of bed. * He leapt across the room to answer the door. * I leapt to my feet (= stood up quickly). * They leapt into action immediately. * (figurative) She was quick to leap to my defence (= speak in support of me). * The photo seemed to leap off the page (= it got your attention immediately). * His name leapt out at me (= I saw it immediately). 3 [V] to increase suddenly and by a large amount: Shares leapt in value from 476p to close at 536p. IDIOMS look before you leap (saying) used to advise sb to think about the possible results or dangers of sth before doing it moreatCONCLUSION, HEART PHRASALVERBS leap at sth to accept a chance or an opportunity quickly and with enthusiasm: I leapt at the chance to go to France. noun 1 a long or high jump: a leap of six metres * She took a flying leap and landed on the other side of the stream. * (figurative) His heart gave a sudden leap when he saw her. * (figurative) Few people successfully make the leap from television to the movies. 2 a sudden large change or increase in sth: a leap in profits / productivity seealsoQUANTUMLEAP IDIOMS by / in leaps and bounds very quickly; in large amounts: Her health has improved in leaps and bounds. a leap in the dark an action or a risk that you take without knowing anything about the activity or what the result will be: I didn't know what the new job would be like-I just took a leap in the dark.