qualitative leap

Modified from dialectical leap, the latter a calque of German dialektischer Sprung, a concept from Hegel's dialectical method. The modifier qualitative means that the leap in question is a transition in quality, where the latter should be understood in its original sense of “what-ness”, that is, the kind or nature of something.

qualitative leap (plural qualitative leaps)

1. (philosophy) A qualitative, non-gradual change resulting from a quantitatively minor change.

   Synonym: dialectical leap

• the straw that broke the camel's back