by leaps and bounds

Meaning

This expression is used to describe rapid, dramatic progress or growth. It often applies to skills, business, or development. It suggests that the improvement is highly noticeable and happening very quickly rather than in small, slow steps.

Examples

• Her English has improved by leaps and bounds since she started watching movies without subtitles.

  Her English has improved by leaps and bounds since she started watching movies without subtitles.

• The company's profits are growing by leaps and bounds this quarter.

  The company's profits are growing by leaps and bounds this quarter.

• After just two weeks of practice, his piano skills came along by leaps and bounds.

  After just two weeks of practice, his piano skills came along by leaps and bounds.

• Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, making old devices obsolete within years.

  Technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, making old devices obsolete within years.

• Our vegetable garden is growing by leaps and bounds thanks to all this rain.

  Our vegetable garden is growing by leaps and bounds thanks to all this rain.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is improving with leaps and bounds.

  ✓ He is improving by leaps and bounds.

  The correct preposition to use with this idiom is always 'by', not 'with'.

• ✗ The project progressed by leap and bound.

  ✓ The project progressed by leaps and bounds.

  Both 'leaps' and 'bounds' must be plural in this fixed idiom.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since she joined the track team, her running speed has improved ___.

  💡 Think of jumping or leaping to describe fast progress.

  Show answer

  by leaps and bounds

• My vocabulary is growing ___ now that I read every night.

  💡 Express rapid and noticeable growth.

  Show answer

  by leaps and bounds