steep curve
Abrupt learning arc
A steep curve describes a rate of change that rises or falls sharply rather than gradually.
The phrase appears most often in steep learning curve, which paradoxically means something is difficult to master—the steepness represents rapid required progress, not rapid achievement.
In graphs, a steep curve shows dramatic change over a short span: The infection rate showed a steep curve upward.
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- sharp turnSudden angular direction change
- inclineAngled rising surface
- gradientRate of change across space
- climbAscend using effort
upward slope · ascent · learning · exponential · slope · ski slope · rise · plunge · hairpin · mountain · switchback · trajectory · growth · acceleration · rapid · rate of change · demanding · challenging
- yield curvesinversion, flattening, short end, belly
- skill developmentpractice, training, improvement, progress, mastery
- exponentsexponent, exponential function, exponential growth, exponential decay, e
steep, steeper, steepest, steeply, steepness, steepen, steepened, steepening, curve