run out of steam
Energy finally depletes
To run out of steam is to lose momentum or energy before finishing something.
The image comes from steam engines, which stop when their boiler pressure drops.
A person, project, or movement can run out of steam: The reform effort ran out of steam after the election.
I started cleaning the garage but ran out of steam by noon.
- burn outExhaust through overwork
- burning outDepleting through overuse
- tireLose strength or energy
- depletionReduction of supply
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
weariness · exhaustion · hit the wall · wane · fizzle · run on empty · lethargy · sluggishness · enervation · energy · energy crash · peter out · fade away · stagnation · falter · flag · out of gas · inertia
- energy idiomsfull of beans, second wind, burn out, fired up, pumped up
- travel idiomshit the road, in the same boat, miss the boat, end of the road, crossroads
run out of steampick up steam
Gain momentum gradually
gain momentum · gather steam · full of energy · hit one's stride · accelerate
run out of steamkeep going
Maintain forward progress
stay the course · go the distance · persevere · endure · soldier on
run out of steampick up steam
Gain momentum gradually
gain momentum · gather steam · ramp up · accelerate · intensify
runs, running, runner, runners, outer, outing, outings, outs, outed