It was 11:48 p.m., and Nina’s laptop screen glowed like a spotlight in the dark room.

She had been working on her presentation since morning, running purely on caffeine and nerves.

“I’m running on fumes,” she whispered to herself, rubbing her eyes. “But I can’t quit now.”

Her roommate, Dana, peeked into the room. “Still working? Girl, you need to hit the sack.”

“I will,” Nina said. “Once I finish these last slides. I’m almost there.”

Dana rolled her eyes. “Famous last words.”

Nina chuckled. “Seriously! Just five more minutes.”

The final slide clicked into place at 12:23 a.m.

“Done!” she said triumphantly.

She stood up, stretched, and let out a dramatic sigh.

“Now I’m officially out like a light,” she said, collapsing on her bed without even brushing her teeth.

Dana laughed from the other room. “Good luck tomorrow! You’re gonna knock their socks off!”

As Nina drifted to sleep, she smiled. “I sure hope so.”

Idioms Used in the Story

1. Hit the sack

Meaning: 

To go to bed or go to sleep.

Example 1: I’m exhausted—I’m gonna hit the sack early tonight.
Example 2: After that long flight, I just hit the sack without dinner.

2. Running on fumes

Meaning: 

To continue working with very little energy or resources.

Example 1: He was running on fumes during his final exams.
Example 2: We’re running on fumes—let’s stop for coffee.

3. Famous last words

Meaning: 

Used sarcastically when someone is overly confident about something that may go wrong.

Example 1: “Don’t worry, I won’t be late.” — “Famous last words.”
Example 2: “This’ll only take a minute.” — “Famous last words.”

4. Out like a light

Meaning: 

To fall asleep very quickly.

Example 1: As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light.
Example 2: After the hike, I was out like a light.

5. Knock their socks off

Meaning: 

To impress someone greatly.

Example 1: Your performance will knock their socks off!
Example 2: The new design knocked our clients’ socks off.