run on fumes

present singular third person runs on fumes · participle present running on fumes · past ran on fumes

1. automotiveTo operate a vehicle that is low on fuel.

   We were running on fumes by the time we arrived, but we made it to the next gas station.

2. broadlyfigurativelyTo operate with few resources, or be physically or emotionally overworked.

   Near-synonyms: run on empty, run out of steam

   1 more example

   The organization had been running on fumes for months, so it's not surprising that they closed their doors.

   Synonyms: run on empty, run out of steam