long-term plan

Meaning

A detailed strategy or set of goals designed to be achieved over a long period, typically several years. It helps businesses stay focused on future growth rather than just daily tasks. It is commonly used in meetings, strategy sessions, and performance reviews.

Examples

• We need a solid long-term plan if we want to expand into the European market.

  We need a solid long-term plan if we want to expand into the European market.

• Our long-term plan focuses on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.

  Our long-term plan focuses on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.

• Instead of worrying about this quarter's sales, let's look at our long-term plan.

  Instead of worrying about this quarter's sales, let's look at our long-term plan.

• She presented a five-year long-term plan to the board of directors.

  She presented a five-year long-term plan to the board of directors.

• Without a clear long-term plan, the company might struggle to stay competitive.

  Without a clear long-term plan, the company might struggle to stay competitive.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need a long-time plan for our business.

  ✓ We need a long-term plan for our business.

  'Long-time' is used to describe a duration that has already happened (e.g., 'a long-time friend'), whereas 'long-term' describes strategies or conditions designed for the future.

• ✗ Our long term plan is ready.

  ✓ Our long-term plan is ready.

  When 'long-term' is used as a compound adjective directly before a noun, it must be written with a hyphen.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The board is meeting tomorrow to discuss our ___ for the next decade.

  💡 A strategy for the distant future.

  Show answer

  long-term plan

• Every successful business needs a ___ to guide its growth over the years.

  💡 A plan for a long period of time.

  Show answer

  long-term plan