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The English We Speak from BBC Learning English.
Hello and welcome to the English We Speak with me, Fei Fei and me, Roy.
In this program, 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, Fei Fei.
Do I look that bad?
I do feel tired though.
Roy, you look like you're running on fumes.
You mean my car has 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.