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Run Out of Steam

What Does "Run Out of Steam" Mean?

homeidiomsRun Out of Steam
"Run out of steam" is an English idiom. It means "to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum; to become fatigued or unable to continue with an activity or effort."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run out of steam" used in a sentence:
  • After working on the project for hours, they began to run out of steam and needed a break to recharge.
  • During the marathon, some runners start to run out of steam as they approach the final miles of the race.
  • The team's initial excitement and motivation eventually ran out of steam, leading to a decrease in productivity.
meaning for run out of steam

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Run Out of Steam" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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