run out of

Idioms  

1. Exhaust a supply or quantity of, as in We're about to run out of coffee and sugar. This expression, dating from about 1700, can be used both literally and figuratively. Thus run out of gas may mean one no longer has any fuel, but it has also acquired the figurative sense of exhausting a supply of energy, enthusiasm, or support, and hence causing some activity to come to a halt. For example, After running ten laps I ran out of gas and had to rest to catch my breath, or The economic recovery seems to have run out of gas. On the other hand, run out of steam, originally alluding to a steam engine, today is used only figuratively to indicate a depletion of energy of any kind.

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Example Sentences

“It’s entirely possible that parts of Asia are just going to run out of fuel,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told reporters in late March.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

It’s also easy to think that Sandisk’s astonishing rally will also run out of steam soon—but it keeps defying that logic to look increasingly unstoppable.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Fuels for Ireland has said that 100 garage forecourts have run out of fuel, mainly in Munster and the west of Ireland.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

The ex-television host said that former Fox News stars like Carlson and Kelly were run out of their positions not because of their heterodox views, but because they couldn’t hack it in the entertainment business.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

“Did you run out of blue or something?”

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Related Words

• absorb
• deplete
• devour
• dominate
• drain
• eat up
• employ
• exhaust
• expend
• obsess
• preoccupy
• spend
• waste