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Run Out

What Does "Run Out" Mean?

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"Run out" is an English idiom. It means "to deplete or exhaust the supply of something; to use up or consume all of a particular resource, often unexpectedly or prematurely."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run out" used in a sentence:
  • They ran out of milk, so they had to make a quick trip to the grocery store before breakfast.
  • Running out of time during the exam can be stressful for students, as they may not complete all the questions.
  • The company unexpectedly ran out of a critical component, causing delays in production.
meaning for run out

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" 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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