To operate a vehicle that is low on fuel.
'run on fumes' is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has only a small amount of energy or resources left to continue, and is in danger of exhaustion. For example, "After working at full capacity for several months, the team was running on fumes.".
Financially, the club is run on fumes.
Family life seems to run on fumes and the practiced gallantry of Mr. Edwards.
"You can run on fumes, but after a while they run out".
Without addressing these tough questions of power relations, the development engine will run on fumes.
"Running on fumes" captures that sentiment and will most likely be repeated on the trail during the rallies ahead.
The Republicans "Running on Fumes" — For the last week, Mr. Romney's campaign has been accusing the president of not having much of a second-term agenda.
But one running on fumes.
Awesome tool! I started using it one year ago and I never had to look for another app
Ha Thuy Vy
MA of Applied Linguistic, Maquarie University, Australia