running on empty

Idioms  

1. At the end of one's resources, out of money, as in I don't know how much longer we can live this way—we're running on empty with no jobs in sight. This idiom refers to a car running when the gas gauge indicates it is out of fuel. [Second half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

"I had been running on empty for so long - I didn't realise," Lucy says.

From BBC

He was able to resume but looked to be running on empty as Vacherot closed out the match for a famous victory.

From BBC

That could spell trouble for a Rangers side that may be running on empty.

From BBC

"Was my body just running on empty, and then it said, 'Well, hang on, there's no way we can do this?'" she says.

From BBC

But amateur female athletes who train intensively can also end up running on empty and seeing their periods stop, or become irregular.

From BBC