In the USA, we use special sayings to talk about how people feel or act. Some of these sayings are called idioms. They help us explain things in a fun and simple way. One group of idioms talks about fuel, which gives energy to cars, machines, and even people. These idioms don’t just talk about gas or oil—they help describe emotions, energy, or speed.
Idioms about fuel are often used when someone is full of energy or moving fast. They might also be used when someone runs out of energy and needs a break. You might hear these phrases in school, sports, or at home. In this article, we’ll look at some popular fuel-related idioms that people in the United States use every day. They’re easy to learn and fun to say. Let’s explore what they mean and how you can use them.
Idioms About Fuel
1. Running on fumes
Meaning: Having very little energy left
Example Sentence:
• After soccer practice, I was running on fumes.
• Dad was running on fumes after working late.
Other ways to say: Worn out, very tired
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cars running when gas is nearly empty
Usage: Used when someone is exhausted or out of energy
2. Full throttle
Meaning: At full speed or effort
Example Sentence:
• The team worked at full throttle to finish the project.
• She studied at full throttle before the test.
Other ways to say: Full speed, all-out
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to engines running at their highest power
Usage: Used when someone is working very hard or fast
3. Burn fuel
Meaning: Use a lot of energy or effort
Example Sentence:
• He burned a lot of fuel practicing for the game.
• We burned fuel walking all over the zoo.
Other ways to say: Use energy, push hard
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how engines burn fuel to work
Usage: Used when someone is using up energy or effort
4. Fire on all cylinders
Meaning: Doing your best or working at full power
Example Sentence:
• She was firing on all cylinders during the spelling bee.
• Our team fired on all cylinders to win the game.
Other ways to say: Doing great, working hard
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how car engines fire cylinders to move
Usage: Used when someone is doing really well
5. Gas up
Meaning: Fill up with energy or fuel
Example Sentence:
• We gassed up before the long road trip.
• I need to gas up with some lunch before practice.
Other ways to say: Refuel, recharge
Fun Fact/Origin: From filling a car’s gas tank
Usage: Used when someone is getting energy or preparing
6. Out of gas
Meaning: Completely out of energy
Example Sentence:
• By the end of the hike, I was out of gas.
• He’s out of gas after running the mile.
Other ways to say: Drained, tired
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cars that stop when the gas runs out
Usage: Used when someone is very tired
7. Put the pedal to the metal
Meaning: Go as fast as you can
Example Sentence:
• We put the pedal to the metal to get to the game on time.
• He put the pedal to the metal to finish the project.
Other ways to say: Go fast, hurry up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from pressing the gas pedal all the way down
Usage: Used when someone speeds up or works quickly
8. Rev up
Meaning: To get ready or more excited
Example Sentence:
• The crowd started to rev up before the concert.
• I revved up before the big race.
Other ways to say: Get pumped, warm up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from revving a car engine
Usage: Used when someone is getting excited or starting strong
9. Running hot
Meaning: Being very active or emotional
Example Sentence:
• She was running hot after hearing the bad news.
• The engine was running hot during the long trip.
Other ways to say: Heated, worked up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from engines that overheat when pushed
Usage: Used when someone is angry, upset, or very busy
10. Blow a gasket
Meaning: To lose your temper
Example Sentence:
• Dad blew a gasket when I broke the window.
• He blew a gasket after losing the video game.
Other ways to say: Lose it, get really mad
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from engine parts bursting under pressure
Usage: Used when someone gets very angry
11. Fuel the fire
Meaning: To make a situation worse
Example Sentence:
• Yelling back only fueled the fire during the argument.
• Spreading rumors fueled the fire at school.
Other ways to say: Make it worse, add to the problem
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from adding fuel to a fire to make it burn stronger
Usage: Used when someone makes a bad situation even worse
12. Tank is empty
Meaning: Having no energy left
Example Sentence:
• After the trip, my tank was empty.
• He said his tank was empty after cleaning the garage.
Other ways to say: Worn out, used up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a gas tank that has no fuel
Usage: Used when someone feels too tired to keep going
13. Like pouring gas on a fire
Meaning: Making a bad situation even worse
Example Sentence:
• His joke was like pouring gas on a fire during the fight.
• Interrupting her made it worse—like gas on a fire.
Other ways to say: Stir things up, make it worse
Fun Fact/Origin: Gas makes fire explode bigger and faster
Usage: Used when someone adds more trouble to a tense moment
14. Fueled by anger
Meaning: Powered or pushed by being mad
Example Sentence:
• He was fueled by anger after being treated unfairly.
• She ran faster, fueled by anger from losing last time.
Other ways to say: Driven by rage, powered by frustration
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how emotions can act like fuel
Usage: Used when strong feelings push someone to act
15. Add fuel to the tank
Meaning: Get more energy or strength
Example Sentence:
• I added fuel to the tank with a big breakfast.
• A nap helped add fuel to my tank.
Other ways to say: Recharge, refuel
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from refilling a car to keep it running
Usage: Used when someone gets energy again
16. Fuel for thought
Meaning: Something to think about
Example Sentence:
• Her story gave me fuel for thought.
• The science video was fuel for thought.
Other ways to say: Something to consider, a new idea
Fun Fact/Origin: Fuel gives power, and this idiom gives power to the brain
Usage: Used when someone shares an idea worth thinking about
17. Hit the gas
Meaning: Start quickly or move fast
Example Sentence:
• We hit the gas to get to the party on time.
• Hit the gas—we’re going to be late!
Other ways to say: Speed up, hurry
Fun Fact/Origin: From stepping on a car’s gas pedal
Usage: Used when someone needs to go faster
18. Burnout
Meaning: Feeling tired from doing too much
Example Sentence:
• She had burnout after studying all week.
• Working nonstop led to burnout.
Other ways to say: Exhausted, wiped out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from engines burning out from too much use
Usage: Used when someone is too tired to keep going
19. Fueled by passion
Meaning: Pushed by strong love or interest
Example Sentence:
• He painted the mural fueled by passion.
• She was fueled by passion to help animals.
Other ways to say: Driven by love, powered by interest
Fun Fact/Origin: Like gas fuels a car, passion fuels actions
Usage: Used when someone is excited and works hard
20. Light a fire under
Meaning: Motivate someone to act quickly
Example Sentence:
• Coach lit a fire under the team before the game.
• Mom lit a fire under me to clean my room.
Other ways to say: Push someone, get someone moving
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of fire making someone move fast
Usage: Used when someone needs a quick push to start
21. Burn through
Meaning: Use up fast
Example Sentence:
• We burned through snacks at the party.
• He burned through his money on toys.
Other ways to say: Use quickly, go through fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Like fire burns fast, this idiom means fast use
Usage: Used when someone spends or uses something quickly
22. Hot-wired
Meaning: Start something fast without doing it the usual way
Example Sentence:
• He hot-wired the project with a shortcut.
• She hot-wired the game setup to save time.
Other ways to say: Jump-start, skip steps
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from starting a car without keys
Usage: Used when someone starts something fast or in a sneaky way
23. Pumped up
Meaning: Very excited or ready
Example Sentence:
• I’m pumped up for the basketball game.
• She was pumped up for her birthday.
Other ways to say: Excited, full of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from pumping gas or air to build pressure
Usage: Used when someone is excited or ready for action
24. Redline
Meaning: Push something or someone to their limit
Example Sentence:
• The team redlined during the final round.
• She redlined during the race and needed a rest.
Other ways to say: Maxed out, pushed too far
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the red line on car dashboards showing max speed
Usage: Used when something is pushed as far as it can go
25. Ignite a spark
Meaning: Start an idea or feeling
Example Sentence:
• Her speech ignited a spark of change in the class.
• The book ignited a spark of curiosity.
Other ways to say: Inspire, get started
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from starting a fire with a small spark
Usage: Used when something begins, especially with strong feelings
Quiz: Idioms About Fuel
Instructions: Choose the best meaning for each idiom. Pick A, B, or C.
Question Key
1. What does “running on fumes” mean?
a) Driving a car very fast
b) Being almost out of energy
c) Breathing in fuel fumes
2. If someone is “full throttle,” what are they doing?
a) Sleeping quietly
b) Working or moving at full speed
c) Walking slowly
3. What does “put the pedal to the metal” mean?
a) To stop suddenly
b) To go fast or work hard
c) To take a break
4. When someone is “out of gas,” how do they feel?
a) Full of energy
b) Tired and worn out
c) Angry
5. If a coach “lights a fire under” the team, what is he doing?
a) Telling them to rest
b) Warming them up
c) Pushing them to do better
6. What does it mean to “blow a gasket”?
a) Cook dinner fast
b) Get very angry
c) Fix an engine
7. If you “burn through” your allowance, what did you do?
a) Save most of it
b) Spend it very quickly
c) Share it with others
8. What does “rev up” mean?
a) To calm down
b) To get excited or ready
c) To fix a machine
9. If someone is “fueled by passion,” what does it mean?
a) They are bored
b) They are working hard because they care
c) They are copying others
10. What does “ignite a spark” mean?
a) Start something new or exciting
b) Turn off the lights
c) Throw something away
Answer Key
- b) Being almost out of energy
- b) Working or moving at full speed
- b) To go fast or work hard
- b) Tired and worn out
- c) Pushing them to do better
- b) Get very angry
- b) Spend it very quickly
- b) To get excited or ready
- b) They are working hard because they care
- a) Start something new or exciting
Wrapping Up
Idioms about fuel help us talk about energy, effort, and action in fun ways. In the USA, we use these sayings often when we’re tired, excited, or trying hard. They come from cars, engines, and fuel, but now they describe how people feel or act.
By learning these idioms, you’ll understand people better and speak more clearly too. They’re short, simple, and easy to use in everyday life. Next time you’re feeling tired or ready to go fast, try using one of these phrases.
