running on fumes

USAGE SUMMARY

"running on fumes" is a correct expression that is often used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to someone or something that is running out of energy or resources. For example, "After a sleepless night of studying, I'm running on fumes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Health

Film

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were running on fumes," one aide said.

The Washington Post

But one running on fumes.

Forbes

If you are tired, burned out and running on fumes you serve no one, including yourself.

Huffington Post

For one thing, there are those startups that may well be running on fumes at this point.

TechCrunch

It's running on fumes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're running on fumes".

The New York Times

"I was running on fumes," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Adam is running on fumes.

The New York Times

By Fridays, she is running on fumes.

The New York Times

"Financially, we're running on fumes," Guardian said.

The Guardian

"I'm running on fumes," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "running on fumes" when you want to convey that someone or something is continuing to function despite having very little energy, resources, or motivation left. It is best used to describe situations where the end is near, or a collapse is imminent without intervention.

Common error

Avoid using "running on fumes" to describe a stable, long-term state. The phrase implies a temporary, unsustainable condition. If something has been "running on fumes" for an extended period, consider if a different metaphor more accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running on fumes" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a predicate adjective or adverbial phrase modifying a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of being nearly exhausted or depleted, relying on minimal resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Health

5%

Film

5%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "running on fumes" effectively conveys a state of near exhaustion or depletion, functioning as a predicate adjective or adverbial phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary purpose is to communicate a sense of urgency, vulnerability, or impending failure. The expression sees frequent use in news and media, formal business settings, and sports contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its use should be carefully considered in highly formal or academic writing. Remember that "running on fumes" signifies a temporary, unsustainable condition. When aiming for similar meanings, you can explore alternatives like "operating on empty", "at the end of my rope" or "out of steam".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating on empty

This alternative directly parallels the idea of a vehicle running without fuel, emphasizing near depletion.

out of steam

Similar to "running on fumes", this phrase suggests a loss of energy or momentum.

stretched thin

Highlights the feeling of being overextended and lacking resources or energy.

running on willpower

Emphasizes the use of mental strength to overcome a lack of physical or external resources.

at the end of my rope

Shifts the metaphor to a feeling of being stretched to the limit of one's endurance.

on one's last legs

Implies a state of near collapse or failure, often referring to physical or operational capacity.

barely coping

Focuses on the struggle to maintain functionality under difficult circumstances.

burned out

Highlights long-term exhaustion and depletion of mental and physical resources.

treading water

Conveys a sense of struggling to stay afloat without making progress, suggesting limited resources.

exhausted

A more straightforward and literal way to express a lack of energy or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "running on fumes" in a sentence?

You can use "running on fumes" to describe a state of near exhaustion or depletion, such as "After working all night, I was "running on fumes" during my morning meetings" or "The project was "running on fumes" due to budget cuts".

What does it mean to say someone is "running on fumes"?

When someone is described as "running on fumes", it means they are continuing to function despite being severely depleted of energy, resources, or motivation. It suggests a state that is unsustainable and likely to lead to collapse or failure without intervention.

Are there similar expressions to "running on fumes" I could use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "operating on empty", "at the end of my rope", or "out of steam" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "running on fumes" a formal or informal expression?

"Running on fumes" is generally considered an informal expression. While it can be used in some business or news contexts, it's best to avoid it in highly formal or academic writing. Choose more precise language if formality is required.