run out
1. To leave (some place) very quickly by or as if by running. She ran out in tears after he told her that their relationship was over. I got so embarrassed after botching my presentation that I just packed up my things and ran out of the room.
2. To be depleted of something; to use or sell all of something that is available. Often followed by "of (something)." We better stop at the next exit to make sure we don't run out of gas. The store ran out of bottled water and canned food after the government issued their warning about the storm. Do we have any milk left or did we run out?
3. To become exhausted, depleted, or used up. I hope the food doesn't run out before we're rescued. We were still 12 miles away from the city when our gas ran out. You need to give me an answer soon—time is running out!
4. To leave for a brief period. I have to run out and do a couple of errands. Do you need anything? Will someone run out for some more hamburger buns?
5. To abandon a romantic relationship with one. Often followed by "on (someone)." I don't know what I'll do if Sarah runs out on me. I thought Jack really loved me, but he ran out as soon as I wasn't earning as much money as I used to.
6. To drive or chase someone away (from some place) with force or the threat thereof. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "out." The sheriff ran the bandits out of town last winter, but it looks like they're back again. The security guard ran out the thieves before they could sneak into the warehouse. My wife ran me out when she found out that I had gambled away our life savings.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
run out
1. Become used up or exhausted, as in Our supplies have run out. [Late 1600s]
2. Compel to leave; see
run off, def. 5.
3. Become void, expire, as in
Our renter's insurance ran out last month. [c. 1300] Also see
run out of;
run out on.
run out on
Desert, abandon, as in He's run out on the family. [First half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
run out
v.1. To hasten on foot to an exterior or distant place: Let's run out to the lake and swim.
2. To make a brief trip to fetch or buy something, especially by car: I'll run out for some more beer.
3. To be used until nothing remains: Our supplies finally ran out and we had nothing to eat.
4. To use something until there is none left: I think we've run out of toothpaste. Bring enough money so that you don't run out before your return.
5. To compel someone to leave by force or threat: The sheriff ran the gangsters out of town. We sneaked into the yard to get the ball, and a pair of vicious dogs ran us out.
6. To become void, especially through the passage of time: Our insurance policy will run out next week.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.