marathon, not a sprint
1
4.8
- idiom
- Informal
:
maratón, no un sprint
- It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Examples
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A cliché statement such as "Strength is a marathon, not a sprint," while there is some truth to it, does nothing to prove the worthlessness of the repeated effort method and the usefulness of the submaximal effort method.
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Strength is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Coach notes, the season is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Your professional career is a marathon, not a sprint.
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I know this is a marathon, not a sprint, but I'm still anxious to get the first book on the market.
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In business, remember that building a successful brand is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring patience and dedication.
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Developing a strong relationship takes time; it's a marathon, not a sprint, so be prepared for the long haul.
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Learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint, as it requires consistent practice and commitment over many months.
Synonyms
64
3.7
A long, difficult task that needs a lot of effort and endurance
41
4.9
A long difficult time that needs steady effort and patience
Antonyms
How Long
Surface Forms
Morphology
The contrast between 'marathon' (a long-distance race) and 'sprint' (a short, full-speed run), together with the negation 'not', directly conveys the idea of sustained long-term effort versus quick effort. This metaphorical comparison is transparent and compositional, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can reliably infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Marathon, not a sprint compares two running races: a marathon is long and you must keep a steady pace, while a sprint is short and very fast. So, saying marathon, not a sprint means 'steady work over a long time' rather than quick results.