quantum leaps
Dramatic forward bounds
Quantum leaps are sudden, dramatic advances or changes: The technology represented a quantum leap in computing power.
The phrase comes from physics, where a quantum leap is the abrupt transition of an electron between energy states—but in scientific terms, these jumps are actually infinitesimally small.
Popular usage inverts this, treating quantum as synonymous with huge.
The singular quantum leap is more common.
- jumpPropel oneself airborne
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- discontinuityBreak in continuity
- snapSudden sharp sound
- breakthroughSudden important advance
big jump · game changer · energy levels · revolution · pop · paradigm shift · sea change · discrete · innovation · ground state · milestone · discovery · flash · excited state · progression · entanglement · photon · electron
- time travel literaturetime loops, time machines, time slip, time police
- spectroscopyspectrum, spectrometer, spectroscope, spectrograph, spectrogram
quantum leapsbaby steps
Cautious incremental progress
small steps · tweaks · adjustments · refinements · fine-tuning
quantum leapsgradual change
Slow, steady transformation
evolutionary change · linear progression · continuous improvement · gradualism · organic growth
quantum leapssteep decline
freefall · stagnation · nosedives · standstill · paralysis
quantum, leap, quanta, quantify, quantification, quantifiable, quantifier, quantitative, quantitatively