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verb · irregular · intransitive · rare

run on fumes

run on fumes · runs on fumes · ran on fumes · run on fumes · running on fumes

To operate a vehicle that is low on fuelTo operate a vehicle that is low on fuel.

Meaning

2 senses

To 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.
(broadly, figuratively)To operate with few resources, or be physically or emotionally overworked.
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.

Forms

runs on fumes, running on fumes, ran on fumes, run on fumes

Base form	run on fumes · to run on fumes
3rd person singular	runs on fumes
Present participle	running on fumes
Past simple	ran on fumes
Past participle	run on fumes

irregular · Lesson

Present simpleLesson

I, you, we, they	run on fumes
he, she, it	runs on fumes

Past simpleLesson

all persons

ran on fumes

Present perfectLesson

I, you, we, they	have run on fumes
he, she, it	has run on fumes

Future simple (will)Lesson

all persons

will run on fumes

Synonyms

2 synonyms

run on empty run out of steam

Word family

2 related words

Relatedvaporware

Derivedfume date

Lessons for this word

3 lessons

A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle

See also

neighbours in the dictionary

rumple runA1 runawayB1 rundown rune

Dictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.

run on fumes — meaning, examples, forms, synonyms | Krumeto