Definition
To continue functioning or working despite having depleted one's energy reserves; often implies being active or productive while being exhausted.
After working for 12 hours straight, she felt like she was running on empty.
He has been working overtime a lot lately; I am worried he is running on empty.
After finishing the marathon, I felt like I was running on empty.
(US) To describe a person or an organization that has run out of new ideas or is no longer operating as effectively as before; implies a state of stagnation or lack of momentum.
Since the main founder left, the startup feels like it’s running on empty.
After a few years of success, the team seems to be running on empty.
Without new leadership and vision, the organization is running on empty.