C1verb2K

Leap

UK /["/liːp/","/liːps/","/lept/","/liːpt/","/ˈliːpɪŋ/"]/US /["/liːp/","/liːps/","/lept/","/liːpt/","/ˈliːpɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to jump high or a long way

In simple words: to jump high or a long distance

Examples

  • The athlete managed to leap over the high fence with great ease.
  • She will leap at the opportunity to work abroad.
  • Investors tend to leap into the stock market when prices seem promising.
  • The children like to leap across puddles after the rain.
  • He could leap from one business venture to another with remarkable agility.
  • During the performance, the dancer made a high leap that amazed the audience.

Usage notes

Commonly used to describe both physical jumping and figurative leaps, like making significant changes. More appropriate in written or formal contexts when discussing major changes (e.g. 'a leap in technology').

Grammar pattern

leap + object (e.g. leap over a fence)

Memory hint

Think of a rabbit leaping over a log — high and fast!

Collocations

  • almost
  • nearly
  • practically
  • seem to
  • be about to
  • be ready to
  • across
  • from
  • into
  • leap to your feet
  • almost
  • nearly
  • practically
  • seem to
  • be about to
  • be ready to
  • across
  • from
  • into
  • leap to your feet

Synonyms

  • shoot up

Antonyms

  • crawl
  • sit
  • remain

Common mistakes

  • 'Leap' is sometimes confused with 'leapfrog', which means to jump over something.
  • 'Leapt' is the past tense, but learners often mistakenly use 'leaped'.
  • 'Leap' can be mistakenly used as a noun in contexts that require a verb.