run out
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
to use up or exhaust a supply of something; to have no more left.
To expire, come to an end, or be depleted; also, to extend or project outward; to leave hastily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The meaning shifts significantly based on the object and context: 'run out of milk' (exhaust), 'the lease runs out' (expires), 'the peninsula runs out to sea' (extends).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Run out of' is universal. In cricket (UK/Commonwealth), 'to run out' a batsman is a specific sporting term. In US sports, 'run out the clock' is common.
Connotations
Similar core connotations of depletion or expiration in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects for the core meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + run out + of + [noun][Subject] + run out (intransitive)[Time period/Contract] + runs outVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run out of steam”
- “run out the clock”
- “run out of road”
- “the clock is running out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's operating capital is about to run out.
Academic
The research grant runs out at the end of the fiscal year.
Everyday
Can you pop to the shop? We've run out of bread.
Technical
The battery will run out if left in standby mode for 72 hours.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We've run out of tea.
- My car tax runs out next month.
- He ran out on his family.
American English
- We ran out of gas on the highway.
- My passport runs out in June.
- They ran out the clock to secure the win.
adjective
British English
- We're in a run-out situation with the printer ink.
- A run-out stock line is being discontinued.
American English
- Check for run-out tires before the road trip.
- It's a run-out model, so it's on sale.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I ran out of sugar.
- The milk ran out.
- My pen has run out.
- We ran out of time to finish the game.
- Her contract runs out in December.
- Don't let the battery run out.
- Patience is running out with the ongoing delays.
- The road runs out into a dirt track a mile ahead.
- They ran out of viable arguments to defend their position.
- The statute of limitations has run out on that crime.
- The peninsula runs out into the turbulent sea.
- His luck finally ran out after years of risky investments.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a runner (RUN) exiting (OUT) a race because their energy is all GONE.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE CONTAINERS (that become empty); TIME IS A MOVING OBJECT (that leaves).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'run' as 'бегать'. 'Run out of' is a state, not an action. Use 'закончиться' or 'иссякнуть'.
- Do not confuse with 'run out' meaning to physically exit running, which is less common.
Common Mistakes
- *I run out milk. (Correct: I run out OF milk.)
- *The time is run out. (Correct: The time HAS run out / IS running out.)
- Using it transitively without 'of': *He ran out his patience.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'run out' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'run out' is generally inseparable when it means 'to exhaust' (e.g., run out of something). You cannot say 'run the milk out'.
'Run out' is intransitive (The time ran out). 'Run out of' is transitive and requires an object (We ran out of time).
Not directly for a person's life. It's used for things like contracts, visas, subscriptions, or patience belonging to a person.
It is neutral but very common in everyday speech. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'expire', 'be exhausted', or 'be depleted' might be preferred.