leap over

USAGE SUMMARY

"leap over" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "leap over" when referring to someone physically jumping or leaping over something. For example, "The rabbit leapt over the fence with one bound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We don't leap over troubles as if they don't exist.

Huffington Post

Did you leap over the wall?

The New York Times

This is a performer determined to leap over every hurdle.

The New York Times - Arts

Soaked competitors had to leap over fallen tree limbs.

The New York Times - Sports

Highways leap over the cities like illuminated roller coasters.

The New York Times - Arts

That way Mongolia could leap over building a national road.

The New York Times

They leap over borders and transcend the ozone.

The New York Times

A leap over a black hole was more like it.

The New York Times

A successful leap over the line of scrimmage is legal.

The Washington Post

You discover you can leap over walls and, soon enough, entire buildings.

The Washington Post

Instead, the runner tried to leap over Banister, his knee colliding with Banister's head.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leap over" to vividly describe physically jumping over an obstacle, or metaphorically overcoming a challenge with significant effort and agility. For example: "She leapt over the puddle" or "The company leapt over its financial hurdles."

Common error

Avoid using "leap over" when "skip over" is more appropriate. "Leap over" implies a significant effort to clear an obstacle, while "skip over" suggests a light, effortless movement. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the context and the degree of effort involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leap over" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of jumping across or over something. It also serves metaphorically to describe overcoming challenges or obstacles, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

HuffPost

5%

ROBOMECH Journal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leap over" is a versatile phrasal verb used both literally for jumping over obstacles and metaphorically for overcoming challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general discussions. When writing, consider whether "leap over" accurately reflects the effort involved, and avoid confusing it with gentler alternatives like "skip over". Related phrases such as "jump over" and "surmount" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. With a neutral register and broad applicability, "leap over" remains a valuable addition to any writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jump over

Direct synonym, emphasizing the physical action of jumping across an obstacle.

vault over

Suggests using hands or a pole to assist in the action of jumping, adding a technical aspect.

bound over

Implies a more energetic and forceful jump, suitable for describing overcoming challenges with enthusiasm.

clear

Focuses on successfully passing over an obstacle, removing the emphasis on the jumping motion.

surmount

Highlights the act of overcoming a difficulty or obstacle, often used metaphorically.

overcome

Similar to "surmount", but with a stronger connotation of dealing with and defeating a problem.

pass over

Indicates moving beyond or disregarding something, shifting the focus from a physical jump to a more abstract concept.

transcend

Implies rising above or beyond limitations or boundaries, adding a sense of elevation or spiritual significance.

skip over

Conveys a lighter, less forceful movement than "leap", suggesting a quick and easy passage.

move past

Focuses on progressing beyond a certain point, often used to describe overcoming emotional or mental obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "leap over" in a sentence?

You can use "leap over" to describe physically jumping over something, as in "The athlete had to leap over the hurdle". It can also be used metaphorically to describe overcoming a challenge, such as "The company had to leap over several obstacles to succeed".

What are some synonyms for "leap over"?

Alternatives to "leap over" include "jump over", "vault over", or "clear", depending on the context. Each has slightly different connotations related to the manner of overcoming the obstacle.

Is it correct to use "leap over" in a business context?

Yes, "leap over" is acceptable in business contexts to describe overcoming significant challenges or achieving substantial progress. For example, "The new strategy helped the company leap over its competition".

What's the difference between "leap over" and "step over"?

"Leap over" implies a jump, suggesting more effort and clearance, while "step over" suggests simply lifting your foot to move past something, often implying a lower obstacle. The choice depends on the height and difficulty of the obstacle.