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Glite Dictionary
to run low

to run low

31 2.5
To have only a small amount left
  • phrasal verb
  • /rʌn loʊ/
translation icon : quedarse corto de
  • We're running low on gas.

Now my mug of ranch dressing is running low.

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Examples

  • But we're running low on fuel.

    Red Tails (2012)

  • Mother said we had to eat, and besides, we were running low on chicken mash.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Gas is running low, been unable to reach you by radio.

  • Plus I save more and I never run low on the products.

  • His search for a practice does not go well, and he runs low on funds.

    Academic text (1996)

  • And then on the morning of the second day, they realize that fuel is running low.

    Academic text (2008)

  • We're running low on crackers.

    Beau Is Afraid (2023)

  • Tao was on campaign and his army was running low on provisions.

  • I'm running low on fluids.

    Ambulance (2022)

  • We're running low on gas, so we need to fill up before the trip.

Synonyms

to run down
vsto run low
15 3.2

To use up batteries, money or supplies until little remains

is about having a small remaining amount rather than the using process
to run short
vsto run low
14 3.7

To have very little of something left

is very low in amount but not always fully exhausted

Antonyms

to overflow
43 2.9

To flow over the edge when a container or space is too full

How Much

plenty of
∞ 1.0
enough
2 1.0
to run low
31 2.5

Surface Forms

run low infinitive
running low present participle
runs low third person singular
ran low past
run low past participle

Morphology

run + low

The meaning 'to have very little left' is directly and compositionally derived from 'run' (to be at or maintain a level) combined with 'low' (a small or insufficient amount): something that "runs low" is simply at a low level of supply. This is a common, transparent verb + adjective pattern in English and should be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Run low comes from the image of a container of liquid: the water or milk runs down and the level becomes low. So, it means 'to have very little of something left'.