running on fumes

running on fumes

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 fumes at this point. We were running on fumes by the time our team made it to the championship round.
See also: fume, on, running
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • 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)