leaps to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaps to mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that a thought or idea comes to you suddenly or spontaneously. Example: "When I think of great leaders, one name that leaps to mind is Nelson Mandela."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Is there an example that leaps to mind?    A.

The New York Times

Many artists (Picasso leaps to mind) are ecstatically carnal.

The Guardian - Arts

The name Hillary Rodham Clinton somehow leaps to mind.

The New York Times

Josie Long's Walt Whitman routine leaps to mind.

The Guardian

"Location" is the word that leaps to mind here.

The Guardian - Opinion

The closest comparison that leaps to mind is a classic chase scene from a 1971 thriller.

The New York Times

When Johnny Itliong thinks about his father, his favorite phrase, "By golly!" leaps to mind.

The New York Times

A word association with streaming media leaps to mind: screaming meemies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In years without a consensus best player, teams occasionally make a selection that seems puzzling the San Diego Padres' choice of Matt Bush in 2004 leaps to mind but they often make such choices to avoid paying top dollar to a questionable prospect.

The Economist

That escalation forced the team to walk away.The days when the masses would turn a blind eye to the private misdeeds of public figures Jimmy Savile, an entertainer who molested and raped hundreds of victims in plain sight in the 1960s and 1970s, leaps to mind are long gone.

The Economist

And the videogame business has seen its share of "unstoppable" systems Trip Hawkin's ill-fated 3DO system leaps to mind that faltered on market forces beyond their control.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leaps to mind" when you want to indicate a thought or example that comes to you quickly and effortlessly, often as the first thing you think of in response to a stimulus.

Common error

While "leaps to mind" is a vivid expression, avoid overusing it in your writing. Variety in your language will make your writing more engaging. Consider alternatives like "comes to mind" or "springs to mind" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaps to mind" functions as an idiomatic expression, serving as a verb phrase indicating that a thought or idea arises quickly and spontaneously in one's mind. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used to introduce examples or associations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic expression "leaps to mind" is grammatically sound and frequently used to express that a thought or idea arises quickly and spontaneously. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct. While suitable for a variety of contexts, it's especially prevalent in news and media. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "comes to mind". It is important to note that, like all idioms, you should not overuse the phrase as it will make your writing stale. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "leaps to mind" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

springs to mind

This alternative is almost perfectly interchangeable and shares a similar level of formality.

comes to mind

This option is a more neutral and general way of saying something is remembered or thought of.

jumps to mind

This alternative emphasizes the suddenness of the thought, similarly to the main query.

immediately occurs to me

This phrase is a more formal and emphatic way of saying that something is the first thing you think of.

first thing I think of

This alternative expresses the priority of a thought without the element of spontaneity.

what I immediately recall

This alternative refers to the act of remembering, highlighting immediacy.

is my first thought

This phrase emphasizes the priority of the thought and lacks the element of surprise or suddenness.

crosses my mind

This alternative is a general way of saying something is being considered.

strikes me

This alternative suggests a thought that is both sudden and impactful.

dawns on me

This alternative indicates a thought that suddenly becomes clear or obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "leaps to mind" in a sentence?

Use "leaps to mind" when a thought, idea, or example arises quickly and easily in your consciousness. For instance, "When I think of influential scientists, Marie Curie "springs to mind"".

What's a more formal alternative to "leaps to mind"?

A more formal alternative is "immediately occurs to me". For example, instead of saying "The solution that "jumps to mind" is X", you could say, "The solution that immediately occurs to me is X".

Is "leaps to mind" appropriate for academic writing?

"Leaps to mind" is generally acceptable, but it leans towards informal. In academic writing, consider more neutral options like "comes to mind" or "is the first thought that I have".

What does it mean when something "leaps to mind"?

When something "leaps to mind", it means that it is the first thing you think of, suggesting a quick and spontaneous recollection or idea. It implies that the thought is prominent or easily accessible in your memory.