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The English we speak.

From BBC Learning English.

Hello. See learning English.

Hello and welcome to the English we speak with me Faye and me Roy.

In this programme we have an expression to describe when someone is very tired and has used all their energy.

It can also be used for things when they're out of battery or fuel.

Speaking of which Roy, you look exhausted. Thanks, Faye, do I look that bad? I do feel

tired though. Roy, you look like you're running on fumes.

You mean my car is run out of petrol?

I usually say my car is running on fumes when the fuel needle shows empty,

but somehow the car keeps going.

Yes, the phrase running on fumes does relate to cars but we also use it to talk

about people you look like you have no energy so you are running on fumes?

I suppose I am.

It must be all the hard work I'm doing to help people learn English.

Hard work? I saw you sleeping at your desk the other day?

Exactly! I was so tired and running on fumes that I fell asleep.

Anyway, let's listen to these examples. He's been working so hard at work recently. He's running on fumes. I'm worried

about him.

Towards the end of the match, the footballer said she was running on fumes.

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