To use the phrase “in the long run” does not mean that you need to lace up your sneakers and go run a marathon. An American might use the phrase “in the long run” to refer to a long time in the future. For example, “There’s no immediate profit in expanding our training, but it will be worth it in the long run because it will make our employees more productive.” * This video is part of an ongoing series, produced by the University Writing Center at Texas A&M. The project is intended to help students understand the meaning of popular American idioms and appreciate the use of figurative language.