Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
enigma; riddle; game; jigsaw
handbook
puzzle
appointment
warehouse
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

run on empty



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Confusion about Direct and Indirect Objects | please tell me if we can say 'If allowed...'
Message Author
run on empty Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:12 am  run on empty
 

Hi,

I just encountered this expression:
Quote:
She looked like a woman running on empty

I think I got the meaning (it means that she was haggard, tired, out of strength, doesn't it?)

What flummoxes me is that I did not find it in a dictionary. Could you tell me if that expression ( I mean to run on empty) sounds natural to you.
Can I say something like I'm really tired. I'm running on empty ?

Thanks!
_________________
Alex

How much upchuck would a woodchuck upchuck if a woodchuck could upchuck ?

(a guy from Russia)
lost_soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1808
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

run on empty Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:03 am  run on empty
 

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 Make or Do?
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7378
Location: UK

Here is how you can learn English the fun way! Click to subscribe to free email English courseLearn all about English adverbs in this amusing storyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!
run on empty Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:19 pm  run on empty
 

Hi, Alan

Thanks a lot !
_________________
Alex

How much upchuck would a woodchuck upchuck if a woodchuck could upchuck ?

(a guy from Russia)
lost_soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1808
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

run on empty Sat Dec 29, 2007 0:29 am  run on empty
 

Another way we say that a car is running on empty is to say it's running on fumes.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 4337
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Display posts from previous:   
Confusion about Direct and Indirect Objects | please tell me if we can say 'If allowed...'
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms run on empty All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
more clever or clevereradvance vs advancementUsage of 'into' (But Mum, Jenny gave me three beetles into my pet house.)Difficult preposition: Reports are coming in ... a 100 mph car chase through theAwait vs Wait forDifficult sentence: Switzerland is well-known for its wonderful mountainous...Difficult sentence: A competitor may submit any number of entries provided...can't help ~ing vs. can't help sb from ~ingdifficult prepositionsmeaning of "taper off"Cut vs. Switch vs. Turn offThe term for the raised objects on roadsPurchase vs Expenditure (SOS)need someone help with these sentencesmeaning of "bring somebody on"meaning of "stand it off"Expression: 'Badly-built shops sank the...'Plural of 'fish'?run on empty

Discover English-test.net
Boad vs. screen"along the storm" versus 'above the storm'Grammar: the way to treat ourselve to do(treat) our oppositeWhat is the sentence correct? had left no sooner vs. had not left soonerThe origin of the word "tight" being used to say something is...TOEIC preparation test: Vocabulary Website: Noun Verb Adjective Vocabulary ListTOEIC exam test: Word games online: Free Nouns Verbs Adjectives GameDefine time, reception, accomplish, useful, artificialPimsleur Croatian: Pimsleur Croatian Language ProgramPreposition phrase: Late AgainEnglish grammar quiz: Confusing Words test (10)

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail