in the long run
/ɪn ðə ˌlɒŋ ˈrʌn/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
eventually, when considering effects over a lengthy period
Examples
- 1The better washing machine costs more now, but its lower bills will save money in the long run.
- 2Learning these skills is slow, yet it should help your career in the long run.
- 3The insulation is expensive today, but over twenty winters it will pay for itself in the long run.
- 4Daily practice feels tedious now; in the long run, those small efforts will transform your playing.
- 5Although the apprenticeship pays little initially, it should open better career opportunities in the long run.
Grammar
A fixed adverbial phrase, often at the beginning or end of a clause. Keep the and singular run.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about time
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →from time to timeoccasionally, without a regular patternbehind the timesold-fashioned and unaware of modern developmentsahead of your timemore innovative than most people of your periodstand the test of timeto remain useful, strong or popular over many yearsa race against timean urgent effort to finish before a deadlineon the spur of the momentsuddenly, without having planned beforehand
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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