to run out
Third Person
runs out
Present Participle
running out
Past Tense
ran out
Past Participle
run out
1
(of a supply) to be completely used up
- The printer ink ran out, so I can’t print these documents.
- The gas in my car ran out, so I had to walk to the nearest station.
- The battery in my remote control ran out, and now I can’t change the channel.
2
to use the available supply of something, leaving too little or none
transitive
- The restaurant unexpectedly ran out of the popular dish.
- The small town could run out of medical supplies if not restocked.
- The store ran out of hand sanitizer during the pandemic.
- We’ve run out of milk, so I’ll go buy some.
- They run out of ideas and decided to take a break.
3
(of a liquid or substance) to slowly drain away
- The creek slowly ran out, leaving behind a dry, rocky bed during the drought.
- She watched as the sand in the hourglass ran out, indicating the end of their allotted time.
- The river's water level started to rise as the snow in the mountains began to run out.
- The pond in the park started to run out as the hot summer days continued.
Synonyms:
4
(of a document or agreement) to not be valid anymore
- Their membership card ran out, meaning they could no longer access the exclusive club.
- The lease on the apartment will run out at the end of the month, so we need to start looking for a new place.
- The contract with the supplier ran out last week, and negotiations for a new agreement are underway.
- After the warranty on the electronic device runs out, any repairs will be the responsibility of the owner.
- The visa for his temporary stay in the country is about to run out, prompting him to apply for an extension.
Synonyms:
5
to exhaust one's physical or mental energy, reaching a point where one can no longer continue
- Don't run yourself out by doing too much in one day.
- The worker ran out near the end of the overtime shift.
- The dancer ran out during the intense performance.
- The team ran out in the final minutes of the game.
6
to finish the available supply of something
transitive
- The team ran out their energy, giving their all in the final minutes of the game.
- They ran out their resources, utilizing all available means to complete the project.
- He ran out his luck, experiencing a string of unfortunate events.
- She ran out her medication, forgetting to refill her prescription.
- They ran out their supplies, exhausting all the materials for their art project.
7
(of a substance) to spill out of a container or confined space
- The sink overflowed, and water ran out, flooding the kitchen.
- The container had a leak, and the liquid ran out, staining the table.
- The package was damaged, and the contents ran out, scattering on the floor.
- The bottle cap was loose, and the soda ran out, creating a sticky mess.
- The bag had a tear, and the flour ran out, covering the countertop.
Synonyms:
8
to stretch a piece of material or clothing to its maximum length or capacity
transitive
- She ran out the rope to its maximum length to secure the tent in place.
- He ran out the string of lights across the patio for a festive ambiance.
- He ran out the measuring tape to accurately determine the dimensions of the room.
- She ran out the elastic band to its full length to ensure a snug fit.
- The tailor ran out the thread to finish sewing the hem of the dress.