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Run Out Of Steam


The phrase 'run out of steam' means that one has lost the energy or enthusiasm to keep doing what they were doing.

Example in use: "The student campaign ran out of steam when it became clear there was no way they would win a seat in the council." 

Interesting fact about Run Out Of Steam

This phrase originated from the idea of an old-fashioned steam engine that steadily slows and then halts when the fire that controls the boiler is too low to produce steam.