run out of (something or some place)

run out of (something or some place)

1. To flee, exit, or depart from some place while running. People came running out of the burning building. I ran out of my office and jumped into a cab.2. To be depleted of something; to use or sell all of something that is available. 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 the hurricane warning. I was going to make pancakes, but we ran out of milk.3. To chase someone away with force or the threat of force or punishment. 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 us out of the compound before we could make our way into the warehouse.4. To operate a motor vehicle until it is depleted of fuel or oil. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "out." Tommy ran the car out of gas driving it all around town last night. You've got to be sure you don't run your boat out of oil while you're still out on the water, or you could find yourself in serious trouble.5. To drive a motor vehicle out of some place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "out." I ran the boat out of the harbor at dawn and sped off for the fishing spot my brother recommended. Everyone knows a car loses half its value the moment you run it out of the dealer's lot.See also: of, out, run

run someone or something out of something

 and run someone or something outto chase someone or something out of something or some place. The old man ran the kids out of his orchard. He ran out the kids.See also: of, out, run

run something out of something

 and run something outto drive or steer something out of something or some place. The cowboys ran the cattle out of the corral. They ran out the cattle.See also: of, out, run

run out of some place

to leave a place quickly, on foot; to flee a place. He ran out of the room as fast as he could. We ran out of the building as soon as we felt the first signs of the earthquake.See also: of, out, place, run

run out of

Exhaust a supply or quantity of, as in We're about to run out of coffee and sugar. This expression, dating from about 1700, can be used both literally and figuratively. Thus run out of gas may mean one no longer has any fuel, but it has also acquired the figurative sense of exhausting a supply of energy, enthusiasm, or support, and hence causing some activity to come to a halt. For example, After running ten laps I ran out of gas and had to rest to catch my breath, or The economic recovery seems to have run out of gas. On the other hand, run out of steam, originally alluding to a steam engine, today is used only figuratively to indicate a depletion of energy of any kind. See also: of, out, run