Meaning
To trust or commit to something without proof, certainty, or guarantee that it will work out.
It suggests a moment of courage rather than blind foolishness — a deliberate decision to move forward despite genuine, acknowledged uncertainty.
Origin
The phrase is closely associated with the nineteenth-century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who explored the idea that religious faith requires a decisive, subjective commitment that cannot be reached through logical proof or objective certainty alone, discussing this most famously in relation to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac in his 1843 work “Fear and Trembling.” It’s worth noting that Kierkegaard wrote in Danish, using the word “Spring” (leap), and the precise English phrase “leap of faith” is generally understood to be a later summary of his ideas by subsequent writers and translators rather than his own exact wording. The phrase has since broadened well beyond its original religious and philosophical context into everyday English, describing any decision made with genuine courage despite an absence of certainty.
Examples
Quitting her stable job to start a business was a real leap of faith.
He took a leap of faith and moved to a new country without knowing anyone there.
Investing in an unproven startup always requires a leap of faith.
A: Are you sure about this decision? B: Not completely, but sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Take a leap of faith' mean?
To trust or commit to something without proof, certainty, or guarantee that it will work out.
It suggests a moment of courage rather than blind foolishness — a deliberate decision to move forward despite genuine, acknowledged uncertainty.