Cheap is dear in the long run.
Cheap is dear in the long run.
Meaning in plain English
The saying makes a cheap purchase costly over time. It distinguishes the initial price from the expense of keeping or replacing something.
Example
Someone considers repair and replacement needs alongside the initial price when comparing suitable options.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Dear supplies the later cost in contrast to cheap at the start. A qualified application can compare suitability, upkeep and expected use without assuming a higher price proves better quality. The phrase does not establish an actual total cost or recommend a particular purchase.
When to use it
Use it to discuss total costs with evidence specific to the options.
Keep in mind
Cheap is not always costly later, and an expensive option is not automatically better.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 125; PDF page 22
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Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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