subs. (racing).—Pace; staying power. Whence, IN (or OUT) OF THE RUNNING = (1) in (or out) of competition; (2) qualified (or not); (3) likely to win (or not); TO MAKE GOOD RUNNING = to do well; TO MAKE GOOD ONE’S RUNNING = to do as well as one’s rival; TO MAKE THE RUNNING = to force the pace; spec. (racing) to start a second-rate horse at a high speed with a view of giving a better chance to a ‘stayer’ belonging to the same owner; TO TAKE UP THE RUNNING = (1) to increase one’s pace, (2) to take the lead or most active part.
1858. A. TROLLOPE, Doctor Thorne, v. But silence was not dear to the heart of the honourable John, and so he TOOK UP THE RUNNING. Ibid. (1864), The Small House at Allington, ii. The world had esteemed him when he first MADE GOOD HIS RUNNING with the Lady Fanny.
1861. H. KINGSLEY, Ravenshoe, xxxvi. Ben Caunt was to MAKE THE RUNNING for Haphazard.
1889. Bird o’ Freedom, 7 Aug., 3. Stewart MADE THE RUNNING so fast that I couldn’t see the way he went.
1892. Tit-Bits, 17 Sept., 423, 2. There is a striking variation in the periods at which women retire from the RUNNING, if we may be permitted to make use of a sporting phrase in speaking of such a subject.
Adj. (old).—Hasty.
1601. SHAKESPEARE, Henry VIII., i. 4.
| Sands. Sir Thomas Lovell, had the cardinal | |
| But half my lay-thoughts in him, some of these | |
| Should find a RUNNING banquet ere they rested. | |
| Ibid., v. 4, 69. | |
| There they are like to dance these three days; besides the RUNNING banquet of two beadles, that is to come. |
Prep. (old).—Approaching; going on for: cf. RISING.
17[?]. The Laird of Wariestoun [CHILD, Ballads, III. 112].
| For I hae been your gud wife | |
| These nine years, RUNNING ten. |
