by leaps and bounds

Idioms  

1. Rapidly, or in fast progress, as in The corn is growing by leaps and bounds, or School enrollment is increasing by leaps and bounds. This term is a redundancy, since leap and bound both mean “spring” or “jump,” but the two words have been paired since Shakespeare's time and are still so used.

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Example Sentences

AI’s capabilities have improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, to the point that investors suddenly fear that it will be able to replace large swaths of tech and other industries.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

I’m seeing it growing by leaps and bounds on the right.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Her defense also improved by leaps and bounds, enough so that she was a finalist for defensive player of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2025

Rice was the staple food, and he remembers its price rising "by leaps and bounds" in the summer of 1942.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2024

In 1954, Flom took over as Skadden’s managing partner, and the firm began to grow by leaps and bounds.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell