run on empty
To be losing enthusiasm or willingness; to lack motivation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I am tired and running on empty today.”
“She feels like she is running on empty after the long meeting.”
“The team is running on empty during the final minutes of the game.”
“After working three jobs all month, he is clearly running on empty and needs a long vacation.”
“The volunteers have been helping for twelve hours straight and are now running on empty as the event ends.”
“I have been studying for this exam all night, but my brain is finally running on empty.”
“You cannot keep helping everyone else when you are running on empty yourself and need a break.”
“Despite his dedication to the project, the exhausted researcher was running on empty and could no longer find the motivation to continue his work.”
The phrase alludes to the operation of a motor vehicle when its fuel gauge indicates that the tank is depleted or nearly so. It describes the state of a machine continuing to function in the brief interval before the remaining fumes are exhausted and motion ceases entirely.
- 01
break into a run
To start running.
- 02
common run
Ordinary persons, things, or events.
- 03
dry run
A practice or rehearsal; especially, one that goes through all the motions of a physical process but without the raw material or workpiece present.
- 04
dummy run
A trial or practice before the real attempt.
- 05
empty suit
An ineffective or incompetent person in a place of authority.
- 06
empty the clip
To compete with great vigor, especially by making numerous scoring attempts.
- 07
empty the tank
To make the utmost effort; to contribute to the absolute limit of one's energy and abilities.
- 08
empty words
Any type of talk with little meaning; a message that seems to contain meaningful content but is actually vapid.
Last updated August 10, 2026