1leap 
/ˈli:p/ verb
leaps; leaped /ˈli:pt, ˈlɛpt/ or leapt /ˈli:p/ verb /ˈlɛpt, ˈli:pt/; leap·ing 1 a [no obj] : to jump from a surface
▪ The cat suddenly leaped into the air. ▪ Fish were leaping out of the water. ▪ He leaped off the bridge. ▪ The cat leapt down from (the top of) the table. ▪ The boys leaped over the stream. ▪ He made a leaping catch. [=he caught the ball as he jumped]
b [+ obj] : to jump over (something)
▪ The horse leaped the stone wall. 2 [no obj] : to move quickly
▪ She leapt up [=she stood up quickly] and ran out the door. ▪ When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed. ▪ The crowd leapt to its feet. [=stood up quickly in excitement] — often used figuratively ▪ The team leaped from last place to first place. ▪ The conversation leapt from politics to religion. ▪ When other people accused her of being lazy, he leaped to her defense. [=he quickly began to defend her] ▪ They leaped into action. [=acted immediately] 3 [no obj] : to suddenly increase by a large amount
▪ The price of gasoline leaped (by) 10 percent.
▪ The cat suddenly leaped into the air. ▪ Fish were leaping out of the water. ▪ He leaped off the bridge. ▪ The cat leapt down from (the top of) the table. ▪ The boys leaped over the stream. ▪ He made a leaping catch. [=he caught the ball as he jumped]
b [+ obj] : to jump over (something)
▪ The horse leaped the stone wall.
▪ She leapt up [=she stood up quickly] and ran out the door. ▪ When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed. ▪ The crowd leapt to its feet. [=stood up quickly in excitement] — often used figuratively ▪ The team leaped from last place to first place. ▪ The conversation leapt from politics to religion. ▪ When other people accused her of being lazy, he leaped to her defense. [=he quickly began to defend her] ▪ They leaped into action. [=acted immediately]
▪ The price of gasoline leaped (by) 10 percent.
leap at [phrasal verb]
leap at (something) : to eagerly take (a chance, opportunity, etc.)
▪ She leaped at [=jumped at] the chance/opportunity to show her boss what she could do. ▪ He leapt at the offer of a better job.
▪ She leaped at [=jumped at] the chance/opportunity to show her boss what she could do. ▪ He leapt at the offer of a better job.
leap off the page — see 1page
leap out at [phrasal verb]
leap out at (someone) 1 : to suddenly come at (someone) from a hiding place
▪ The hidden assailant leaped [=jumped] out at them. 2 : to immediately get the attention of (someone)
▪ The picture on the magazine's cover leaps out at you.
▪ The hidden assailant leaped [=jumped] out at them.
▪ The picture on the magazine's cover leaps out at you.
leap to conclusions — see conclusion
leap to mind — see 1mind
look before you leap — see 1look
your heart leaps — see heart
— leap·er /ˈli:pɚ/ noun, plural leap·ers [count]
/ˈli:pɚ/ noun, plural leap·ers [count]
