run short

present singular third person runs short · participle present running short · past ran short

1. intransitivetransitiveTo have used up or consumed the majority (of something), so that little remains.

   How much ice cream is left? Are we running short?

   2 more examples

   We're running short of wine. Could you fetch some more, please?

   Diggle Station lies high up in the Pennine Chain, subject to extreme low temperatures. With this and heavy snowfall in the winter months, Diggle bids fair to compete with the Scottish lines under similar weather conditions, and the provision of unfrozen water in the higher ambient temperature of the tunnel must be a boon to harassed engine drivers whose thirsty steeds run short of water up the gruelling 1 in 125 seven-mile climb from Stalybridge.

   1959 February 28, “Letters to the Editor: Diggle Water Troughs”, in Railway Magazine, page 135

2. To be nearly used up or consumed.

   Patience is running short.