Running on empty
Meaning
To be extremely tired, depleted of energy, or at the very end of one's resources or fuel.
Origin
Imagine a long drive, the fuel gauge dipping precariously towards 'E', the engine sputtering with a terrifying promise of silence. That vivid, literal image of a car barely functioning on its last drops of gasoline—literally 'running on empty'—from the golden age of automotive travel gave birth to this phrase. It perfectly captures a state of utter depletion, whether it's a vehicle nearing the end of its fuel, a person utterly exhausted, or an organization out of resources. The anxiety and the imminent breakdown associated with a car about to stop translated powerfully into human experience, becoming a universal shorthand for being completely drained and on the verge of collapse.
Examples
- After working a double shift and then studying all night for his exams, Mark was truly running on empty.
- The small startup's finances were running on empty, making it difficult to cover operational costs for the upcoming quarter.