In the long run means eventually, over a long period of time. Repairing the bag now may save money in the long run. It usually contrasts a cost now with a benefit later, but the result can be bad too: it may cost more in the long run.
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in the long run; an outcome / benefit / cost in the long run
- Repairing the bag now may save money in the long run.
- The new filing system takes time to learn but should make searches faster in the long run.
- In the long run, a shorter commute could matter more than a slightly larger flat.
What changed
First versionThis change should reduce waste on the long run.
RevisionThis change should reduce waste in the long run.
Many fixed phrases use on, like on the whole or on time, so on the long run sounds possible. But this one takes in: in the long run, in the long term. The article the and the singular run stay as they are.
In the short run and in the short term mean in the near future. Eventually means in the end, about something that finally happens. And Keynes's famous In the long run we are all dead mocked the advice to simply wait until things fix themselves.
Your turn
Choose the fixed expression for a longer-term outcome: It may be inconvenient now but useful ___ the long run.
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in — The fixed form is in the long run: inconvenient now, useful later. On isn't part of it.
Compare a small difficulty now with the benefit it will bring later, using in the long run.
Labelling the folders takes an afternoon, but it should save us time in the long run.
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