run on empty en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
An allusion to a vehicle operating with the fuel gauge pointing to empty or near empty, likely to stop running in the very near future.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To be losing enthusiasm or willingness; to lack motivation.
Doctors and nurses on the front lines are running on empty, under increasing duress as the pandemic surges and hospitals are overrun with patients.
2020 November 25, Katherine J. Wu, “Covid Combat Fatigue: ‘I Would Come Home With Tears in My Eyes’”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:Near-synonyms: run on fumes, run out of steam
He has been running on empty for a while. It's likely the project will be canceled.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ran on empty | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| runs on empty | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| running on empty | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| run on empty | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |