leapfrog

/ˈliːpfrɒɡ/
noun
  1. A children's game in which players take turns jumping over the bent backs of others.
    • During recess, the students organized a game of leapfrog on the grass.
    • Leapfrog is a simple game that requires no equipment, just space to run and jump.
    • The kids played leapfrog in the backyard until dinner time.
  2. A situation in which one person or thing advances ahead of another by skipping over intermediate stages or competitors.
    • The company's new software represents a leapfrog over older versions, skipping several generations of updates.
    • In the race for renewable energy, some countries are attempting a leapfrog from coal directly to solar power.
    • The startup achieved a technological leapfrog by developing a battery that charges in five minutes.
verb
  1. To jump over someone or something, especially in the game of leapfrog.
    • The children took turns leaping over each other in the park.
    • The gymnast leapfrogged over the vaulting horse with ease.
    • He leapfrogged over the low fence to retrieve the ball.
  2. To advance or progress by skipping over intermediate stages or by overtaking competitors.
    • Many developing nations have leapfrogged landline phones and gone straight to mobile networks.
    • The company leapfrogged its rivals by releasing a revolutionary smartphone.
    • Her career leapfrogged when she was promoted from intern to manager in just two years.
  3. To alternate or pass something (such as a responsibility or turn) from one person to another in a skipping pattern.
    • In the relay race, the runners leapfrogged positions to confuse the opposing team.
    • The managers agreed to leapfrog the usual approval process for urgent requests.
    • The team decided to leapfrog the project lead and assign tasks directly to junior members.
What does "leapfrog" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean