(Also Sc. lang run, langrin.) Phr. in the long run, in earliest use † at (the) long run, occas. † on, † upon the long run: in the end; when things have run their full course; as the ultimate outcome of a series of vicissitudes. (Cf. F. à la longue.) In the Sc. examples: At last, at the end.
1627. J. Carter, Plain Expos., 117. (F. Hall) At the long run.
1656. Cromwell, Speech, 17 Sept. They [the discontented] must end at the interest of the Cavalier at the long run.
1669. R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 459. At long run he will make his fortune.
1681. T. Flatman, Heraclitus Ridens, No. 1 (1713), I. 4. There is neither Honour nor Estate to be got by Rebellion at the long run.
1722. Ramsay, Three Bonnets, III. 31. At langrun Bawsy raik’d his een.
1768. Tucker, Lt. Nat., I. II. xxviii. 205. Prudence and steddiness will always succeed in the long run better than folly and inconsiderateness.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., 18 July i, Humphry is certainly the north star to which the needle of her affection would have pointed at the long run.
1804. Mar. Edgeworth, Contrast, ix. At the long run, these fellows never thrive.
1806. Jamieson’s Pop. Ball., I. 295. At langrin, wi’ waxin and fleechin’,… She knit up her thrum to his wab.
a. 1814. Manœuvring, II. i. in New Brit. Theatre, II. 89. That is but a bad way on the long run.
1818. Colebrooke, Import Colonial Corn, 101. Upon the long run, a mean value is received for the average of crops.
1824. Bentham, Bk. Fallacies, Wks. 1843, II. 426. To labour at the long-run under an imputation that is not just.
1842. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., I. 156. Compromises never are found to answer, I think, in the long run.
1853. ‘C. Bede,’ Verdant Green, I. vii. He’ll find it all right in the long-run.
1898. L. Stephen, Stud. Biogr., I. v. 178. To speak freely and openly is no doubt the best rule in the long-run.
So † Long-running, in the same use.
1528. Roy, Rede me (Arb.), 48. Their interrupcion Shall tourne to their destruccion At longe runnynge fynally.
1661. Baxter, Moral Prognost., I. xcv. 25. As knowing, that at long-running, its only Truth that will stand upper-most. Ibid. (1670), Cure Ch. Div., 150. At the long running, the wound will be found to be increased, and the cure the harder because of the delay.
