Run out of meaning
Run out of means to use all of something so that you have none left. It can also mean to leave a place quickly by running.
run out of something
run out of · ran · run · running
We’ve run out of milk. Can you get some?
Run out of meanings and examples
2 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Use all of something so that you have none left
run out of something
- We’ve run out of milk. Can you get some?
- My phone ran out of battery on the way home.
- I’m sorry, we’re running out of time.
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2
Leave a place quickly by running
run out of something
- The kids ran out of the classroom when the bell rang.
- She ran out of the room in tears.
- Why did you run out of the shop like that?
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use run out of in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is run out of separable?
Run out of is a three-word verb and you cannot split it. The thing always comes at the end: run out of money, run out of it.
The person is the subject: I ran out of sugar. If the thing is the subject, drop of: The sugar ran out.
Verb tenses for run out of
| Present | I run out of · she runs out of |
|---|---|
| Past | ran out of |
| Present perfect | have run out of |
| -ing form | running out of |
Common mistakes with run out of
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: We have run out from coffee.
Right: We have run out of coffee.
The preposition is of, not from.
Wrong: The petrol ran out of.
Right: The petrol ran out.
When the thing is the subject, use run out without of.
Wrong: I have ran out of ideas.
Right: I have run out of ideas.
The past participle of run is run: have run out.
Synonyms and opposites of run out of
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- use upuse all of something; the focus is on the using
- be out ofhave none left now: We’re out of bread
- run low onhave only a little left
Opposite
- stock up onbuy a lot of something so you will not run out
- have plenty ofhave more than enough
Run out of quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1The car stopped because we ___ petrol.
Run out of means have none left.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Use run as the past participle, and of after out.
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3A friend texts: “Sorry, my phone is running out of battery!” What will happen soon?
Running out of battery means the battery will soon be empty.
More phrasal verbs with run
All phrasal verbs with run, by level, with an exercise
8 phrasal verbs start with run. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.
- run outB1use all of something so there is none left
- run intoB2meet someone you know when you did not expect to
- run awayB2leave a person or place suddenly, often secretly, to escape
- run overC1hit someone or something with a vehicle and drive over them
- run downB2lose power slowly, or make something lose power
- run throughB2explain, read or check something quickly from start to end
- run offB2leave a place or person suddenly, often without saying why
Run out of FAQ
Questions people ask about run out of.
Run out vs run out of: what is the difference?
Use run out of when a person has none left: We ran out of eggs. Use run out when the thing is the subject: The eggs ran out.
What does we’re running out of time mean?
It means there is not much time left, so you need to hurry. People say it in exams, meetings and films.
What is the past tense of run out of?
Ran out of. The forms are run, ran, run: I ran out of paper. I have run out of paper.
Use run out of in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.