run short

English

Verb

run short (third-person singular simple present runs short, present participle running short, simple past ran short, past participle run short)

  1. (intransitive, or transitive with 'of') To have used up or consumed the majority (of something), so that little remains.
    How much ice cream is left? Are we running short?
    We're running short of wine. Could you fetch some more, please?
    • 1959 February, “Letters to the Editor: Diggle Water Troughs”, in Railway Magazine, page 135:
      Diggle Station lies high up in the Pennine Chain, subject to extreme low temperatures. With this and heavy snowfall in the winter months, Diggle bids fair to compete with the Scottish lines under similar weather conditions, and the provision of unfrozen water in the higher ambient temperature of the tunnel must be a boon to harassed engine drivers whose thirsty steeds run short of water up the gruelling 1 in 125 seven-mile climb from Stalybridge.
  2. To be nearly used up or consumed.
    Patience is running short.

See also

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