Question of the Day #902

Plush #1 opens with the main character Devin down and running on empty.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at The GWW.

  上記の文で、running on emptyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "running on empty" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔自動車が〕ガス欠で走る
2. 〔人・動物が〕空腹状態で走る
3. 〔活動などを〕エネルギー［意欲・熱意］が不足した状態で続ける

1と2の訳で使えないことはないが、実際問題として3の比喩で使うことが圧倒的に多い。
   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Continuing to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. A reference to a car that has nearly run out of fuel.

   

Examples

• His campaign treasury is running on empty.
• People are working double shifts, their stress levels are getting higher, they are just running on empty.
• I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on empty at this point.
• We were running on empty by the time our team made it to the championship round.
• The band's 2008 appearance is widely agreed to be their finest two hours. Certainly, events after this suggest a band running on empty.

   

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