run out

Short definition: The phrase run out means to have no more of something left, often referring to time, money, or supplies being completely used up.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb run out? This is a very common expression in everyday English. It usually means having no more of something left, but it can also describe physically leaving a place quickly or reaching the end of a time period. The meaning depends on context, but it often suggests something coming to an end. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how run out works in daily English.

run out v. /ˌrʌn ˈaʊt/

Forms: run out, runs out, ran out, run out, running out
Related: supply n., exhaust v., deplete v., finish v.
Syllable: run-out

  1. (Verb) To have no more of something left.

    To run out most commonly means that a supply of something is finished. It suggests using something until there is nothing remaining. This meaning is extremely common in daily conversation.

    We’ve run out of milk, so I need to go to the store.
    She ran out of time before she could finish the assignment.
    Don’t run out of patience when dealing with difficult situations.

    Synonyms: be used up, be finished, be depleted, be exhausted, have none left, be consumed, be drained, be gone, dry up, be spent, be empty, reach zero
    Antonyms: have plenty, be full, be stocked, be abundant, have surplus, be supplied, be replenished, be refilled, remain available, increase supply, build up, accumulate

  2. (Verb) To leave a place quickly.

    Run out can also describe physically leaving somewhere quickly, often in a hurry or with urgency. It focuses on fast movement outward from a place.

    He ran out of the house when he heard the loud noise.
    The children ran out into the yard as soon as school ended.
    She ran out of the meeting room to answer an important call.

    Synonyms: rush out, dash out, hurry out, sprint out, bolt out, flee, exit quickly, storm out, race out, burst out, charge out, escape rapidly
    Antonyms: walk in, enter slowly, stay inside, remain, linger, settle in, move inward, stay put, return calmly, come inside, step in quietly, remain seated

  3. (Verb) To reach the end of a period of time.

    Run out is often used when talking about time coming to an end. It suggests that a limit has been reached and there is no more time available.

    The contract will run out at the end of the year.
    Our free trial runs out tomorrow.
    His visa ran out, so he had to renew it immediately.

    Synonyms: expire, end, finish, conclude, lapse, terminate, come to an end, reach deadline, elapse fully, be over, reach limit, close
    Antonyms: continue, extend, renew, prolong, remain valid, restart, begin again, reopen, resume, stay active, carry on, persist

Conversation Using the Phrasal Verb Run out

In a kitchen where a large dinner is being prepared, Thomas and Mia discuss their inventory. This conversation highlights run out, which means to use all of something so that there is none left, or for a period of time to come to an end.

Thomas: I just realized that we are about to run out of flour, so I won't be able to finish baking the bread for the guests.

Mia: I’ll go to the store quickly; we can't afford to run out of the main ingredients right before the dinner party officially begins.

Thomas: I read that your passport will run out next month, so you should definitely start the renewal process as soon as possible.

Mia: I noticed that the printer managed to run out of ink just as I was finishing the last page of my important research paper.

Thomas: If the company’s funding begins to run out, they will have to consider laying off staff or finding new investors very quickly.

Mia: I saw a runner run out of steam in the last kilometer of the race and lose his lead to a much more energetic competitor.

Thomas: It’s a common problem to run out of space on your smartphone when you take too many high-resolution photos and videos.

Mia: I agree; I’m going to make sure we don't run out of patience while we wait for the technician to arrive and fix the oven today.

Thomas: I’m glad we didn't run out of time to prepare the appetizers; everything looks delicious and the table is perfectly set for eight.

Mia: Me too; once we run out of things to do, we can finally sit down and enjoy a glass of wine before the doorbell rings.

Phrases Containing the Phrasal Verb Run Out

The phrases below show how the phrasal verb run out is used to talk about having no more of something left.

Run out of time

To have no time remaining.

We ran out of time before finishing the presentation, so we had to summarize quickly.

Run out of money

To have no funds left.

They ran out of money halfway through the renovation project.

Run out of fuel

To have no gasoline left.

The car ran out of fuel in the middle of a quiet rural road.

Run out of patience

To lose tolerance.

She finally ran out of patience after waiting for hours without explanation.

Run out of space

To have no room left.

My phone ran out of space because I saved too many large videos.

Run out of energy

To feel exhausted.

After a long day of meetings, I completely ran out of energy.

Run out of supplies

To have no materials left.

The store ran out of supplies during the busy holiday season.

Run out of options

To have no alternatives left.

They ran out of options and had to accept the final offer.

Run out of ideas

To have no creative thoughts left.

Writers sometimes feel they’ve run out of ideas, but inspiration often returns.

Run out of stock

To have no products available.

The shop ran out of stock just hours after the promotion began.

Run out of water

To have no water remaining.

We ran out of water during the hike and had to turn back early.

Run out of ink

To have no printer ink left.

The printer ran out of ink right before I needed to submit the document.

Run out of food

To have no meals remaining.

They ran out of food because more guests arrived than expected.

Run out of battery

To have no power left.

My phone ran out of battery while I was navigating through the city.

Run out of breath

To become short of air.

He ran out of breath after climbing several flights of stairs quickly.

Run out of paper

To have no sheets left.

The office ran out of paper during an important printing task.

Run out of chances

To have no opportunities left.

If you keep ignoring the rules, you’ll eventually run out of chances.

Run out of strength

To feel physically weak.

The athlete ran out of strength near the finish line but refused to give up.

Run out of resources

To have nothing left to use.

The team ran out of resources and had to pause the project.

Run out of hope

To feel hopeless.

Even when everything seemed difficult, she refused to run out of hope.

Words Rhyme with run out

sun about
fun shout
gun scout
bun doubt
pun trout
done bout
won snout
none gout
ton route
stun spout
out
about
shout
scout
doubt
trout
bout
snout
gout
route
spout
stout
clout
flout
without
throughout
devout
redoubt
dropout
turnout