running on fumes
running on fumes
Meaning:
- to continue doing something even when you have no energy left
- to operate with low resources or money
- to stay awake even when you are exhausted
Example:
- After two nights of continuous work, I'm running on fumes today.
- The company had been running on fumes lately, so its hardly surprising that they shut down their operations.
- After having partied late into the night, he was running on fumes the next day at work.
- Having travelled for the better part of the previous two days, the team was running on fumes on the day of the match and lost.
- Have you had any rest? You seem to be running on fumes.
- This project has been running on fumes. Its better if we close it.
- Having made all the arrangements single-handedly, he was running on fumes on the day of the event and couldn't enjoy it.
- Let's give him a break. He has been running on fumes after the marathon practice session he had today.
Origin:
This phrase is in reference to an automobile which is low on fuel, but is still running.