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Meaning of run on fumes | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. To operate a vehicle that is low on fuel.
  2. By extension, to operate with few resources, or be physically or emotionally overworked.
    idiomatic

Examples

“We were running on fumes by the time we arrived, but we made it to the next gas station.”
“Near-synonyms: run⟳ on empty, run⟳ out of steam”
“The organization had been running on fumes for months, so it's not surprising that they closed their doors.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

run one on run one's face run one's mouth run one's mouth off run one's name run out

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