by starts and leaps

English

Alternative forms

• by leaps and starts

Prepositional phrase

by starts and leaps

1. In sudden short bursts; without being tidy and regular.
   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:

     Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a hurry.

Anagrams

• by leaps and starts