Question

That old car has been through a lot, but it's still running on fumes.

• A. It is very fuel-efficient
• B. It has a full tank of gas
• C. It is continuing to function with very little energy or resources left.
• D. It is producing a lot of pollution

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It is continuing to function with very little energy or resources left.

Understanding the Idiom: 'Running on Fumes'

• The idiom 'running on fumes' literally refers to a vehicle that has very little fuel left in its tank, just enough to keep it going for a short while before it completely runs out.
• Figuratively, and most commonly, this idiom is used to describe a person, an organization, or an object that is continuing to function or operate with very little energy, resources, or strength remaining.
• It implies a state of near exhaustion or depletion, where continuation is difficult and precarious. For example, a student might be 'running on fumes' after an all-night study session, or a business might be 'running on fumes' financially.
• This phrase emphasizes a prolonged effort or a struggle to maintain operation despite significant depletion of vital resources.

• Common Usage and Contexts:

  • Personal Energy: When someone is extremely tired but still working or performing tasks (e.g., "After working two shifts, I'm running on fumes.").
  • Resources/Funds: When a company or project has very little money or supplies left (e.g., "The startup is running on fumes and needs new investment.").
  • Strength/Endurance: In sports or physically demanding situations, when an athlete is pushing themselves to the absolute limit (e.g., "The marathon runner was running on fumes in the last mile.").

• Synonyms and Related Idioms:

  • 'On its last legs'
  • 'Barely clinging on'
  • 'Scraping by'
  • 'At the eleventh hour' (related to time scarcity)
• In competitive exams, understanding such idioms is crucial for questions on vocabulary, sentence completion, error identification, and reading comprehension. The ability to grasp the metaphorical meaning of phrases like 'running on fumes' is a common test of English proficiency.