🗓️ Idiom: It’s a Marathon Not a Sprint (expression)
💬 Meaning
- Success takes time and steady effort.
- Do not expect quick results when working toward a big goal.
🧠 Example Sentences
- Building a strong client base takes years — it’s a marathon not a sprint.
- Our manager reminded us that improving market share is a marathon not a sprint.
- The startup team knows raising funds is a marathon not a sprint, so they are pacing themselves.
🏛️ Origin
This phrase comes from the world of running. A marathon is a long-distance race (42 km), while a sprint is very short and fast. The comparison became popular in the late 20th century to describe projects or careers that need patience and endurance, not quick speed.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
“Growing a business takes time — it’s __________, not a sprint.”
Answer
a marathon
2. Multiple choice:
What does “it’s a marathon not a sprint” mean?
a) You should always work as fast as possible.
b) Success needs time and steady effort.
c) You should not try to run a race.
Answer
b) Success needs time and steady effort.
3. Change the sentence using “it’s a marathon not a sprint”:
“Reaching our long-term sales goals will not happen quickly.”
Answer
“Reaching our long-term sales goals is a marathon not a sprint.”
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
📚 Learning Resources
👉 Idioms for Motivation & Perseverance
👉 Business English Idioms List
👥 Support Spaces
👉 Student Space
👉 Tutor Toolkit
⭐️ Extras
📫 Get a Daily Idiom
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
