run on empty

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

I just encountered this expression:

[Alan]

Hi LS,

You certainly have the right idea in your explanations by suggesting that the person appears to have no reserves of energy to be able to continue what they are doing. There is also the sense of surprise and wonder that they can do this. It's like the car engine that keeps running despite the fuel gauge showing 'empty'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Alan

Thanks a lot !

[Jamie (K)]

Another way we say that a car is running on empty is to say it's running on fumes.