run out of

Meaning

To use all of something so that there is none left.

Examples

1. We’ve run out of milk. Can you buy some? US UK
2. The car ran out of petrol on the motorway. US UK
3. I’m running out of time to finish the report. US UK

How to use it

Run out of is followed by the thing you no longer have: run out of money. It cannot be separated. You can also make the thing the subject and drop of: Our money ran out.

Common mistake

Not: We ran out the sugar.
Say: We ran out of sugar. (Do not forget of.)