run out of — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 use all of something upto have none of something left because you have used it all
2 use all of somethingTo have no more of something left because you have used it all.

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use all of something up

B1run out of sthMost common

to have none of something left because you have used it all

We've run out of milk, can you grab some?

I'm running out of time, I need to send this now.

Common mistake

✗I've run out sugar again.

✓I've run out of sugar again.

Keep 'of' before the thing — 'run out of sugar', not 'run out sugar'.

Without an object, just 'run out': 'The battery ran out.''Run out of' = none left; 'run low on' = nearly gone but some remains.

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use all of something

B1run out of sth

To have no more of something left because you have used it all.

We ran out of bread, so I need to go to the shop.

A: Can you make some tea?
B: Sorry, we've run out of tea bags.

During my trip, we ran out of money and had to be very careful with our spending.

Common mistake

✗We ran out milk.

✓We ran out of milk.

'Run out OF' + the thing. ('We've run out' alone is fine if the thing is obvious.)

Tell it apart

We've run out of time.

none left

The dog ran out of the house.

ran outside

Use 'run out of' when you completely finish something, like food, money, or time.Not the same as 'run out' (leave quickly); 'run out of' always means you have nothing left.

Often paired with

run out of + resource

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use all of something up use all of something