running out of puff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running out of puff" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is becoming tired or out of breath, often during physical activity. Example: "After sprinting for several minutes, I found myself running out of puff and had to slow down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Sorry.In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

Make bankruptcy more costly, and you make entrepreneurship less attractive.In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

The owners have also negotiated a $1.6 billion price for their 37% stake in the bank.In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

In a comment reminiscent of the 1970s, he urged consumers to become "good energy savers".In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve, recently cited the contango as a reason why he was relaxed about oil prices.In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

The banks would deal with customers, as now; the factory would do the back-office work.In this section Running out of puff?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

And in the euro zone, sluggish economies are looking ever more lethargic.In this section Ouch! Victory Day remembered Healthy network effects Now try to reach out Bogus backlash Stagflation, the remix Reprints Related items European Central Bank: Making a pointMay 5th 2005 The world economy: Running out of puff Apr 14th 2005Yet even as growth is slowing, price pressures are looming.

The Economist

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

But Brazil then ran out of puff.

The Economist

Unfortunately, small turbochargers quickly run out of puff.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "running out of puff" to describe a temporary state of exhaustion or depletion, not a permanent condition. For example, a sports team might "run out of puff" in the second half of a game, but they can recover for the next one.

Common error

Avoid using "running out of puff" in literal contexts where someone is actually unable to breathe due to a medical condition. The phrase is typically used figuratively to describe a lack of energy, enthusiasm, or momentum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running out of puff" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a depletion of energy, resources, or momentum. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "running out of puff" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a decline in energy, resources, or momentum. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its frequent use in contexts such as "News & Media" and "Sport". While primarily informal, it is generally acceptable across various forms of communication. Related phrases include "losing steam" and "becoming exhausted". When using this phrase, it's important to consider its figurative nature and avoid literal misinterpretations, using it to describe a temporary state of depletion rather than a permanent condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing steam

This alternative refers to a gradual decline in energy or enthusiasm.

becoming exhausted

This alternative directly refers to the state of being physically or mentally depleted.

losing momentum

This alternative indicates a decrease in the rate of progress or force.

reaching the limit

This alternative suggests arriving at the point where no further progress or capacity is possible.

running on fumes

This alternative depicts a situation where one is operating with minimal remaining resources.

depleting resources

This alternative explicitly states the reduction of available resources.

at the end of one's rope

This alternative describes a state of desperation or being out of options.

expending all energy

This alternative signifies the complete use of available energy.

reaching capacity

This alternative implies reaching the maximum limit of what can be held or done.

becoming winded

This alternative specifically refers to experiencing shortness of breath, often from exertion.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "running out of puff"?

Saying someone is "running out of puff" means they are becoming tired, losing energy, or losing momentum in an activity or endeavor. It is often used figuratively to describe a temporary state of depletion.

What can I say instead of "running out of puff"?

You can use alternatives like "losing steam", "becoming exhausted", or "losing momentum" depending on the context.

Is "running out of puff" a formal or informal expression?

"Running out of puff" is considered an informal and idiomatic expression. It is suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing. For more formal contexts, consider using "depleting resources".

How did the phrase "running out of puff" originate?

The phrase "running out of puff" likely originated from the literal experience of becoming short of breath during physical exertion. Over time, it has evolved into a figurative expression to describe a general lack of energy or resources.