leap (redirected from leaps to the eye)

*leap of faith

Fig. acceptance of an idea or conclusion largely on faith. (*Typically: be ~; make ~; require ~.) We had to make quite a leap of faith to accept his promise after the last time he let us down.

See also: faith

by leaps and bounds

Fig. rapidly; by large movements forward. The brush we cut back last fall is growing by leaps and bounds. The profits of my company are increasing by leaps and bounds. He is gaining by leaps and bounds.

See also: and, bound

increase by leaps and bounds

Fig. to increase or grow by large increments. (See also gain by leaps and bounds.) The price of our stock is increasing by leaps and bounds.

See also: and, bound, increase

jump to conclusions and leap to conclusions

Fig. to judge or decide something without having all the facts; to reach unwarranted conclusions. (See also rush to conclusions.) Now don't jump to conclusions. Wait until you hear what I have to say. Please find out all the facts so you won't leap to conclusions.

See also: conclusion, jump

leap at someone or something 

1. to jump toward someone or something. The grasshopper leapt at me and scared me to death. The cat leapt at the mouse and caught it.

2. to accept or choose someone or something eagerly. We leapt at Carl when his department offered him to us. When we had the chance to hire Carl, we leapt at it.

leap at the opportunity (to do something) and leap at the chance (to do something); jump at the chance (to do something); jump at the opportunity (to do something)

Fig. to accept an opportunity eagerly. Frank leapt at the opportunity to become a commercial artist. It was a great idea and we leapt at the opportunity. I would leap at the chance to go to Moscow. His company proposed to send him to England, and John jumped at the chance.

See also: opportunity

leap down (from something)

to hop down from something or some place. The performer leapt down from the stage and ran up the aisle. She leapt down and ran away.

leap for joy and jump for joy

Fig. to jump up because one is happy; to be very happy. Tommy leapt for joy because he had won the race. We all leapt for joy when we heard the news.

See also: joy

leap forward

to jump or hop forward. The little creature leapt forward and looked carefully at us. As the frog leapt forward, the kitten jumped straight up and fled.

See also: forward

leap out (of something)

to jump outward from something. A mouse leapt out of the cereal box and frightened everyone. I opened the box and a mouse leapt out.

See also: out

leap over something

to jump over something. The dog leapt over the hedge and chased the rabbit around the corner of the house. Please don't leap over my roses. You'll damage them.

leap up

to jump upwards. The dog leapt up and licked my cheek. I leapt up so I could see over the wall for just a second.

See also: up

Look before you leap.

Prov. Cliché Think carefully about what you are about to do before you do it. I'm not saying you shouldn't sign the lease for that apartment. I'm just saying you should look before you leap. Jill: I'm thinking about going to night school. Jane: Are you sure you can spare the time and the money? Look before you leap.

See also: before, look

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a leap in the dark

something you do without being certain what will happen as a result I had very little information about the company, so writing to them was a bit of a leap in the dark.

See also: dark

a quantum leap  (British & American) also a quantum jump (American)

a very important improvement or development in something (often + forward ) The election of a female president is a quantum leap forward for sexual equality. (often + from ) The food at Rockresorts is a quantum jump from the meals served at most Caribbean resorts.

by/in leaps and bounds

if progress or growth happens in leaps and bounds, it happens very quickly Ashley's reading has come on in leaps and bounds since she's been at her new school. Leaders of the organization say their membership is growing by leaps and bounds.

See also: and, bound

get/jump/leap on the bandwagon

to become involved in an activity which is successful so that you can get the advantages of it yourself The success of the product led many companies to jump on the bandwagon. Publishers are rushing to get on the CD-ROM bandwagon.

See also: bandwagon, get

jump to conclusions

to guess the facts about a situation without having enough information I might be jumping to conclusions but I've seen them together twice in town.

See also: conclusion, jump

Look before you leap.

something that you say in order to advise someone to think about possible problems before doing something If you're thinking of buying a house, my advice is, look before you leap.

See also: before, look

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grow by leaps and bounds

to become larger quickly Since we had that good rain, my tomatoes have grown by leaps and bounds. That boy has grown by leaps and bounds this year.

See also: and, bound, grow

jump to conclusions

to judge a situation without enough information about it The investigation isn't finished, so let's not jump to conclusions about what caused the plane to crash.

See also: conclusion, jump

leap at something

to quickly and eagerly accept an opportunity jump at something I would leap at an opportunity to work for that organization.

Usage notes: often used in the form leap at the chance: I leaped at the chance to visit India.