quantum leap

noun

1. a sudden highly significant advance; breakthrough

quantum leap

1. In physics , the movement of an electron from one orbit in an atom to another, sending out or taking on a photon in the process. ( See Bohr atom .)

Notes

Informally, a “quantum leap” may be any great, sudden, or discontinuous change.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quantum leap¹

C20: from its use in physics meaning the sudden jump of an electron, atom, etc from one energy level to another

Idioms and Phrases

A dramatic advance, especially in knowledge or method, as in Establishing a central bank represents a quantum leap in this small country's development . This term originated as quantum jump in the mid-1900s in physics, where it denotes a sudden change from one energy state to another within an atom. Within a decade it was transferred to other advances, not necessarily sudden but very important ones.

Example Sentences

CGI technology has, of course, made quantum leaps since you worked on “Twister” 18 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

“There’s no question about it. It’s a huge quantum leap,” said Tom McMillen, the former Maryland basketball player and congressman who led a group of collegiate athletic directors the past year years.

From Seattle Times

The new method therefore promises a quantum leap in knowledge with regard to the natural virus reservoir.

From Science Daily

In conjunction with that push, Stiell called for “a quantum leap this year in climate finance.”

From Seattle Times

Besides the quantum leap in storage, Gmail also came equipped with Google’s search technology so users could quickly retrieve a tidbit from an old email, photo or other personal information stored on the service.

From Seattle Times