# empty the tank

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/empty-the-tank
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make the utmost effort; to contribute to the absolute limit of one's energy and abilities.

## Examples

- You must empty the tank to win this race.
- The team knew they had to empty the tank during the final minutes to secure the championship victory.
- Despite his exhaustion, the athlete chose to empty the tank in the closing stretch, leaving every ounce of his remaining strength on the track.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.