running on empty
running on empty
Continuing to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. A reference to a car that has nearly run out of fuel. I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on empty at this point. We were running on empty by the time our team made it to the championship round.
See also: empty, on, running
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
running on empty
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]
See also: empty, on, running
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
running on empty
At the end of one’s resources. This twentieth-century Americanism alludes to an automobile about to run out of gas, with the gauge indicating that the tank is empty. The expression gained currency with Jackson Browne’s popular song “Runnin’ on Empty” (1978).
See also: empty, on, running
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- be running on fumes
- fume
- be running on empty
- sporting blood
- come on like gangbusters
- be the life and soul of the party
- be going gangbusters
- gangbuster
- get stuck in
- get stuck into (something)