springboard

From spring +‎ board.

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springboard (plural springboards)

2. A board consisting of a flexible, springy, cantilevered platform that propels one into the air, used for diving or gymnastics.
3. (figuratively) Something that acts as a catalyst to begin or accelerate an action or growth.

   The opportuninity acted as a springboard for their success.

   • 1960 March, J. P. Wilson, E. N. C. Haywood, “The route through the Peak - Derby to Manchester: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 148:

     It was the section of the North Midland Railway from Derby to Ambergate which provided the springboard for a scheme that took shape in the early part of 1845 for a route through the Peak to Manchester.

• springboard diving

springboard (third-person singular simple present springboards, present participle springboarding, simple past and past participle springboarded)

1. (transitive) To launch or propel as if from a springboard, especially toward political office.
   • 2007 October 4, Jennifer Steinhauer, “In Ballot Fight, California Gets a Taste of ’08”, in New York Times‎^[1]:

     Such a change could amount to a seismic shift in the nation’s electoral dynamics, potentially springboarding a Republican into the White House, and the possibility has animated hopeful Republicans and fearful Democrats.