leapfrog
Meaning
A children's game in which players take turns to leap over others who are bending down.
To advance or progress by overtaking others or bypassing intermediate stages.
Structure
Usage
The children spent the afternoon playing leapfrog on the lawn.
The company aims to leapfrog its competitors by investing in next-generation technology.
Her innovative approach allowed her to leapfrog several seniority levels in the organization.
Etymology
The word 'leapfrog' is a transparent compound from two native English elements. It literally describes the action of the game, where one player leaps over another who is bent over, reminiscent of a frog's posture or jumping motion. The term was first recorded in the late 16th century for the children's game. By the early 19th century, the verb sense emerged, applying the game's logic of bypassing an obstacle or competitor to describe strategic advancement in business, technology, or rank, thus evolving from a literal physical action to a metaphor for progress.
Analysis
leap: From Old English hlēapan, meaning "to jump, run, leap." It is a Germanic verb root describing a springing motion. frog: From Old English frogga, frogg, meaning "the amphibian." It is a Germanic noun.