Idioms

fume

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be running on fumes

To be continuing to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on fumes at this point. We were running on fumes by the time our team made it to the championship round. After I came down with a nasty cold, I was running on fumes the last few weeks of school. I'm so glad summer break is here!
See also: fume, on, running

fume about (someone or something)

To have prolonged anger toward someone or something. Uncle Al looks unhappy—what do you think he's fuming about now? Ever since those two became roommates, she's just constantly fuming about him. Yes, I know you blew Molly off—she's been fuming about it all morning.
See also: fume

fume at (someone)

To direct one's anger at someone. Don't fume at me because you overslept—it's not my fault you didn't hear your alarm. The boss is fuming at everyone who was involved in that project. Uh oh, Uncle Al is gonna start fuming at us about the government, isn't he?
See also: fume

fume over (someone or something)

To have prolonged anger toward someone or something. Uncle Al looks unhappy—what do you think he's fuming over now? Ever since those two became roommates, she's just constantly fuming over him. Yes, I know you blew Molly off—she's been fuming over it all morning.
See also: fume, over

run on fumes

1. To be especially ineffectual, insubstantial, or unsuccessful. The high production value means that the film is visually stunning, but no amount of aesthetic beauty can save a film whose paper-thin plot runs on fumes from start to finish. The former president promised quite a lot in his campaign speeches, but his administration ran on fumes throughout his time in the White House.
2. To continue to operate with no or very little enthusiasm, energy, or resources left. (Usually used in the continuous tense.) I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on fumes at this point. We were running on fumes by the time our team made it to the championship round.
See also: fume, on, run

running on fumes

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. I've been painting the house for four hours every night after work, and I am seriously running on fumes at this point. We were running on fumes by the time our team made it to the championship round.
See also: fume, on, running
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fume about someone or something

 and fume over someone or something
to be very angry about someone or something. She was just fuming over her broken vase. She was still fuming about Larry the next morning.
See also: fume

fume at someone

Fig. to rage at someone. She was really fuming at Sam, who had broken her table leg.
See also: fume
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive
In addition, when they removed the plastic tent at the end of the fuming process, the fumes often forced the researchers out of the work area.
The glue fuming chamber contains a built-in heat source and a small electric fan.
Using the new device, the scientists tested squares of skin to determine the optimal fuming time.
In the end, researchers determined that powder selection is less critical than ensuring that the glue fuming process is performed correctly.
Hidden evidence: latent prints on human skin
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