run on empty
English edit
Etymology edit
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.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb edit
run on empty (third-person singular simple present runs on empty, present participle running on empty, simple past ran on empty, past participle run on empty)
- (idiomatic) To be losing enthusiasm or willingness; to lack motivation.
- He has been running on empty for a while. It's likely the project will be canceled.