Expansion (impulse)

Expansion (impulse) is a phase of directional price movement where the market breaks out of consolidation and quickly covers distance in the direction of the trend. Structurally, an impulse leaves confirmed breaks (BOS) behind it and often forms imbalances (FVG) — zones price may later return to fill.

In the three-phase Smart Money logic (accumulation → manipulation → distribution), expansion follows once the market has swept liquidity at the range boundaries and gained access to a large player's zone of interest. The impulse is the realisation of the potential charged during consolidation — a move toward the next major liquidity target.

Expansion is distinguished from a manipulation sweep: a true impulse continues structure and holds beyond the extremes, whereas a false break quickly snaps back. In range markup, expansion sets the direction of the new structure, and its start often coincides with the opening of a new 4H trading range.