run out of

Meaning

To run out of something means to use all of your supply so that you have none left. It is commonly used for everyday items like milk, money, time, or patience. The tone is neutral and can be used in any setting, from casual conversations to workplace updates.

Examples

• We've run out of milk, so I need to go to the grocery store.

  We've run out of milk, so I need to go to the grocery store.

• I'm sorry, we are running out of time and must finish the meeting.

  I'm sorry, we are running out of time and must finish the meeting.

• He ran out of money halfway through his backpacking trip.

  He ran out of money halfway through his backpacking trip.

• I'm running out of patience with this slow internet connection.

  I'm running out of patience with this slow internet connection.

• Make sure to buy printer paper before we completely run out of it.

  Make sure to buy printer paper before we completely run out of it.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The sugar is run out.

  ✓ We have run out of sugar.

  The phrase 'run out' requires either the person as the subject ('we ran out of...') or the resource as the subject with 'has run out' in the active voice.

• ✗ I ran out my phone battery.

  ✓ My phone battery ran out.

  You cannot place the object directly after 'run out' without the preposition 'of' if the subject is a person.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We need to hurry up; we are ___ time.

  💡 Having none left soon.

  Show answer

  running out of

• I can't print this document because the printer has ___ ink.

  💡 Past participle form.

  Show answer

  run out of