leap of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

'leap of thought' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to an idea or notion which someone has arrived at through a sudden burst of insight or intuition. For example, "I had a sudden leap of thought that maybe I could try a new approach to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To get that -- in a leap of thought -- he was willing to reduce worker exploitation to sell more cars.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was an order of evil that can't be understood.' Exhilarating and vertiginous leaps of thought are typical of Mailer 's conversation.

The Guardian - Books

He analyzes leaps of thought urged by rhymes, metaphors, and lexical choices.

University of Chicago

It jostles vision and encourages leaps of thought.

Huffington Post

He wanted nothing more than to flee "the horrible reality of existence, to leap beyond the confines of thought".

The New Yorker

It's hard to see how these abstract questions can be reduced in any neat way to a collective property of brain tissues, nor is it obvious how to make the giant leap from the concept of thought to a reproducible experiment in the lab.

MIT Technology Review

Although their entries were mundane, my mind leapt to thoughts of at least one Annie Proulx story about two cowboys (or was it or sheepherders?) who fell in love (or was it just lust?) Initially, I saw the journals as a good place to keep score for a game of Scrabble or cards, and certainly they all appear to have been used that way.

The New York Times - Travel

In its painstaking description of thought's leaps and tics and swerves ("Also smoke in the dark they say get no pleasure"), "Ulysses" often comes rather close to life's actual tedium; since the heyday of modernism few major novelists have sought to emulate that book's exhaustive treatment of the ordinary mind at work.

The New Yorker

This is the journalist-as-puppy school of thought: Give us a treat, and we will leap into a politician's lap.

The Washington Post

The most active moment in the affair is Lane's teen-age leap of joy when she savors the thought of it.

The New Yorker

End of thought".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leap of thought" when you want to emphasize a sudden and significant advancement in understanding, especially one that seems to bypass normal step-by-step reasoning. It's suitable for describing eureka moments or sudden flashes of insight.

Common error

Avoid using "leap of thought" when "leap of faith" is more appropriate. "Leap of faith" implies believing in something without evidence, while "leap of thought" suggests a sudden understanding or insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leap of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a sudden and significant advancement in understanding or reasoning. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase refers to an idea or notion which someone has arrived at through a sudden burst of insight or intuition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leap of thought" is a relatively rare but grammatically correct expression used to describe a sudden and significant advancement in understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies an idea arrived at through a burst of insight. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it serves to highlight moments of clarity and intuitive comprehension. While similar to "leap of faith", it's crucial not to confuse the two; "leap of thought" focuses on understanding, while "leap of faith" centers on belief. Employ "leap of thought" to add emphasis to moments of sudden understanding and insight in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden insight

Focuses on the immediacy and unexpected nature of the understanding.

intuitive understanding

Highlights the role of intuition rather than a step-by-step reasoning.

imaginative breakthrough

Emphasizes the creative aspect and the element of overcoming a barrier.

cognitive jump

Uses a more technical term, 'cognitive', to refer to mental processes.

intellectual advance

Highlights the progress and improvement in knowledge or understanding.

conceptual leap

Focuses on the conceptual nature of the advancement.

quantum leap in understanding

Implies a dramatic and significant increase in understanding.

shift in perspective

Highlights a change in viewpoint or way of thinking.

innovative idea

Emphasizes the novelty and originality of the thought.

transformative insight

Highlights the potential for significant change resulting from the insight.

FAQs

What does "leap of thought" mean?

The phrase "leap of thought" refers to a sudden, significant advancement or jump in understanding or reasoning. It often describes a moment of insight or a quick grasp of a concept.

How can I use "leap of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "leap of thought" to describe someone suddenly understanding a complex idea. For example, "The solution came to her in a sudden "leap of thought"."

What are some alternatives to "leap of thought"?

Alternatives to "leap of thought" include "sudden insight", "intuitive understanding", or "cognitive jump". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "leap of thought" the same as "leap of faith"?

No, "leap of thought" and "leap of faith" are different. A "leap of thought" involves understanding, while a "leap of faith" involves believing in something without proof.