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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Talk about endurance, quick bursts of effort, and managing your resources over time.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe story compares a long-distance marathon with a short sprint to show why long projects need a different strategy from quick tasks. It explains “pace yourself,” “run out of steam,” and the advice that life is a marathon, not a sprint; “slow and steady wins the race” adds a related reminder about patience.
Cultural note: The race comparison is a metaphor for managing effort, time, and other resources. It is not a claim that every goal should be slow: a short deadline may call for a sprint, while a long project usually requires a sustainable pace.
Keep exploringA long goal can be lost by using all your energy at the start. Practise explaining when to move quickly and when to pace yourself.
Phrase guide · 5 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Describe work that requires endurance and planning.
Meaning
A long process that requires patience and sustained effort rather than a quick burst.
Tone & use
Often used to encourage a sustainable pace in long projects, careers, or personal goals.
Example
“Building trust with a new community is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Meaning
Control the speed and effort you use so you can continue over time.
Tone & use
Useful advice for work, exercise, study, or any demanding activity that lasts a while.
Example
“The conference has sessions all day, so pace yourself and take a lunch break.”
Talk about focusing energy on a brief, urgent task.
Meaning
Lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum before something is finished.
Tone & use
Informal; it can describe a person, a project, or an idea that loses momentum.
Example
“The team ran out of steam near the end of the long grant application.”
Meaning
A short period of very fast or intensive effort.
Tone & use
Literal in running and also used for a brief work period. It is usually contrasted with a long, sustained effort.
Example
“We did a final sprint to prepare the presentation before the client meeting.”
Encourage steady work toward a longer goal.
Meaning
Consistent, patient effort can succeed where rushed effort may fail.
Tone & use
A familiar saying, often used to encourage persistence. It is advice, not a guarantee that slow work always wins.
Example
“The language course felt gradual, but slow and steady wins the race—her weekly practice added up.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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