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Glite Dictionary
⏳ To use up 📄 To expire 🏃 To leave fast 💧 To flow out
to run out

to run out

937 1.9
Use all of something so none is left
  • phrasal verb
  • /rʌn aʊt/
translation icon : quedarse sin
  • And so I am concerned we might run out of space at some point.
  • run out of money
  • run out of time
  • run out of steam

When the fuel runs out, it crunches down, right?

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Examples

Synonyms

to run out of
vsto run out
646 1.9

Have no more of something because you used it all

is the same meaning but used as a common phrasal expression
to consume
vsto run out
172 3.2

To use up resources until none are left

highlights lack of remaining amount rather than the act of using
to use up
vsto run out
69 2.7

To finish all of something so nothing is left

expresses the same final exhaustion in everyday speech
to exhaust
vsto run out
68 3.7

To use up all of a supply or resource

is the neutral everyday way to state that depletion occurs
to sell out
vsto run out
65 2.8

To sell all the tickets or goods so nothing is left

describes running out but limited to sales and commercial contexts
to give out
vsto run out
57 4.1

To stop working or run out so nothing is left

refers specifically to exhausted supplies rather than failing components
to finish off
vsto run out
20 3.5

To use up the last of something

stresses the state of having no more left rather than finishing act
to run through
vsto run out
16 4.4

Use up money or supplies quickly and wastefully

means depletion but without implying rapid or wasteful use
to run down
vsto run out
15 3.2

To use up batteries, money or supplies until little remains

focuses on having none left in general physical supplies or items
to deplete
vsto run out
13 6.3

To use up almost all of something so little is left

focuses on total exhaustion rather than gradual reduction detail
to run dry
vsto run out
10 4.2

To use up something so none is left, for example ideas

focuses on the result of no remaining supply rather than the process

Antonyms

to replenish
43 4.3

Fill something again after it has been used up

to stock up
39 2.9

Buy a large supply of something to use later

How Much

plenty
∞ 1.0
left over
76 2.1
enough
2 1.0
low
∞ 1.0
to run out
937 1.9

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

run + out

The meaning 'to leave a place suddenly' is directly derivable from 'run' (move quickly on foot) plus 'out' (to the outside), following a common English motion verb + particle pattern. This compositional structure is cross-linguistically familiar and therefore a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer this sense (noting that other idiomatic senses of 'run out' exist, but they do not affect this transparent motion-reading).

Etymology

Run out may come from the simple image of run + out: something moves or flows away until none is left, like water leaving a barrel or a candle burning down. So when supplies run out, they are 'used up' and nothing remains.