empty (redirected from emptiness)

be running on empty (informal)

1. to continue to work and be active when you have no energy left. I get the impression he's been running on empty for months now. A holiday will do him good.

2. if a person or an organization is running on empty, they have no new ideas or are not as effective as they were before. The fund-raising campaign was running on empty after ten years under the same leader.

See also: running

empty nest syndrome

the sad feelings which parents have when their children grow up and leave home. The last of her children had recently moved out and she was suffering from empty nest syndrome.

See also: nest

Empty vessels make (the) most noise/sound.

something that you say which means that people who talk a lot and frequently express their opinions are often stupid. David talks as if he's an expert on everything, but empty vessels make most noise.

See also: most, noise, sound, vessel

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on an empty stomach

when you have not eaten anything. He left early this morning and drove three hours on an empty stomach.

See also: stomach

running on empty

lacking energy or enthusiasm. He's been running on empty for months now — a vacation will do him good. The program to build low-cost housing has not attracted much support and is running on empty.

on automatic pilot

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of running on empty (= operating a car with almost no fuel)

See also: running

see the glass (as) half empty

to believe that a situation is more bad than good. Some economists looking ahead to the second half of the year see the glass as half empty.

Usage notes: also used in the form the glass is half empty the situation is seen as bad or not hopeful: A lot of people are unhappy with the way the organization is run — they say the glass is half empty.

See also: glass, half, see