running on empty

Idioms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 50-40 victory over eventual champions France will live long in the memory, and former Scotland captain Andy Nicol says it was a positive campaign although the side were running on empty by the end of the defeat in Dublin.

From BBC

Barrelates and classical Pilates for when you’re running on empty.

From Los Angeles Times

"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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023