run on fumes
The idiom "run on fumes" originates from the idea of a vehicle operating on the last remnants of fuel, symbolizing minimal resources or energy.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To continue functioning with very little remaining energy or resources.
Example
- After working a double shift, she was running on fumes but still managed to finish her tasks.
B2Automotive
(technical)To operate a vehicle that is nearly out of fuel.
Example
- We were running on fumes by the time we reached the gas station.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "run on fumes":
run out of gasrun dryrun outrun out onout of gasrun onon one's last legssputter outfizzle outgassed outrun downrun toon the runrun inrun for one's moneyrun with