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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm running on empty
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, if I'm running on empty, unmotivated, procrastinating, sick and exhausted -- no one wins.

News & Media

Huffington Post

"I only stopped here because I'm running on empty," said Maura Trejo, a real estate agent.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I was running on empty.

News & Media

The Guardian

His hunger was questioned last year, but he said: "At the end of the Ashes series I was running on empty.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

Towards the end I was running on empty and couldn't wait to be back at home with my kids, but I still had a smile on my face".

News & Media

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I realized I was running on empty," she says.

Academia

Duke University

"I thought from the third-last fence I was running on empty," McCoy said.

News & Media

BBC

I was running on empty most of my first semester and having the best time.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Now it's running on empty.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

Towards the end The Lazarus Project seems to realise it's running on empty.

News & Media

The Guardian - Books

I've been Running On Empty for so long now that without question We Belong Together.

News & Media

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works effectively in both personal narratives and professional journalism to humanize the subject's struggle against fatigue.

Common error

Do not use the phrase if the context requires a purely physical or technical description of a machine's fuel level unless you are intentionally using personification. In professional technical writing, it is better to be literal about energy levels to avoid ambiguity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

100%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

In linguistic terms, "I'm running on empty" acts as an idiomatic predicate phrase. According to Ludwig, it functions as a metaphorical extension of a vehicle's fuel gauge to describe human capacity. It consists of the verb 'run' in the continuous aspect and a prepositional phrase 'on empty'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'm running on empty" is a robust and evocative English idiom. Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is exceptionally common in top-tier journalism, where it is used to describe everything from exhausted athletes and politicians to struggling economies. While it remains a metaphor, its clarity and emotional resonance make it a staple of the English language. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, though writers should ensure the context supports its metaphorical weight to avoid clichéd usage. Whether describing burnout, financial strain or physical fatigue, it remains one of the most effective ways to communicate that a limit has been reached.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My tank is empty

uses a direct vehicle metaphor similar to the query but focuses on the fuel source

I have nothing left in the tank

common variation in sports and high-performance contexts to indicate absolute exhaustion

I am exhausted

shifts from a metaphor to a direct, literal adjective describing physical or mental fatigue

I am drained

emphasizes the feeling of energy being slowly siphoned away

I have run out of steam

uses an industrial-era metaphor suggesting a loss of momentum or drive

I have hit a wall

indicates a sudden onset of fatigue where further progress feels impossible

I am burnt out

specifically refers to long-term chronic stress and exhaustion, often work-related

I am spent

a concise way to say one has used up all available resources or energy

I am at the end of my rope

suggests a lack of patience or emotional capacity rather than just physical energy

I am weary

more formal or literary tone suggesting long-term tiredness or loss of enthusiasm

FAQs

What does it mean to be running on empty?

It means you have exhausted all your energy, resources or spirit but are still trying to keep going. You can also say "I am exhausted" or "my tank is empty".

Is "I'm running on empty" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral. While it is an idiom, it appears frequently in highly respected publications like "The New York Times" and "The Economist".

Can I use "I'm running on empty" for finances?

Yes, it is common to use this phrase when a person or organization has no money left. Alternatives in this context include "broke" or "insolvent".

What can I say instead of "I'm running on empty"?

Depending on the context, you could use "I am burnt out", "I am drained" or "I have run out of steam".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

100%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm running on emptyGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm running on empty
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples