spend energy
يستنفد الطاقة
Use `spend energy` to describe where you are directing your limited time and effort.
In 15 Seconds
- Using your physical or mental effort for a specific task.
- Treats your personal stamina like money in a bank account.
- Commonly used for work, exercise, and managing personal stress.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of putting effort, time, or physical power into a specific task or person. It is like using up the battery in your phone, but for your own body and mind.
Key Examples
3 of 6Giving advice to a stressed friend
Don't spend energy on people who don't appreciate you.
Don't spend energy on people who don't appreciate you.
Discussing a work project
We need to spend more energy on marketing this month.
We need to spend more energy on marketing this month.
Talking about a workout
I spent so much energy at the gym that I fell asleep at 8 PM.
I spent so much energy at the gym that I fell asleep at 8 PM.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the modern obsession with productivity and 'burnout' culture. In English-speaking countries, energy is often discussed as a currency that must be budgeted wisely to avoid exhaustion. It aligns with the 'work hard, play hard' mentality where effort is seen as a measurable investment.
The 'On' Rule
Always remember the pattern: Spend energy + ON + [Noun/Gerund]. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't use it for machines
While a battery 'provides energy,' we don't say a phone 'spends energy.' Use 'drains' or 'consumes' for devices.
In 15 Seconds
- Using your physical or mental effort for a specific task.
- Treats your personal stamina like money in a bank account.
- Commonly used for work, exercise, and managing personal stress.
What It Means
Spend energy is all about the resources inside you. Think of your stamina like a bank account. When you work, exercise, or even argue, you are 'spending' that currency. It implies that your effort is finite. Once you use it, you need to recharge. It covers both physical sweat and mental focus.
How To Use It
You use it just like you would talk about spending money. You can spend energy 'on' something or 'doing' something. It often pairs with adjectives like too much, a lot of, or little. For example, "Don't spend energy worrying about the weather." It sounds very natural and active. It shows you are making a choice about where your effort goes.
When To Use It
Use this when discussing productivity at work. It is great for talking about fitness or hobbies too. Use it when giving advice to a friend who is stressed. It works perfectly when you want to sound intentional. If you are tired, you can explain why by saying you spent all your energy on a project. It is a very versatile, everyday phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for things that happen automatically. You don't spend energy breathing or sleeping. Avoid using it for inanimate objects like cars; cars use fuel or consume energy. Also, if someone is grieving or in deep pain, it might sound a bit too 'mechanical.' In those cases, use words like giving or struggling instead.
Cultural Background
In modern Western culture, 'energy management' is a huge topic. People often talk about their 'social battery.' We view our personal energy as a precious resource. This phrase became more popular as work-life balance became a priority. It reflects a society that values efficiency and mental health. We try not to 'waste' it on things that don't matter.
Common Variations
You will often hear waste energy if the effort was useless. Conserve energy is used when you are trying to save your strength. People also say put energy into something. If you are totally out of it, you might say you have no energy left. All these variations treat your stamina like a physical object you can move or hold.
Usage Notes
This phrase is safe to use in almost any context. It transitions smoothly from a casual chat about the gym to a serious board meeting about company resources.
The 'On' Rule
Always remember the pattern: Spend energy + ON + [Noun/Gerund]. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't use it for machines
While a battery 'provides energy,' we don't say a phone 'spends energy.' Use 'drains' or 'consumes' for devices.
The Social Battery
Introverts in the US and UK often use this phrase to explain why they need to leave a party early. It's a polite way to say 'I'm tired of talking!'
Examples
6Don't spend energy on people who don't appreciate you.
Don't spend energy on people who don't appreciate you.
Used here to suggest emotional boundaries.
We need to spend more energy on marketing this month.
We need to spend more energy on marketing this month.
Professional context implying a shift in focus.
I spent so much energy at the gym that I fell asleep at 8 PM.
I spent so much energy at the gym that I fell asleep at 8 PM.
Refers to physical exhaustion.
I'm not spending any more energy on this email thread!
I'm not spending any more energy on this email thread!
Shows frustration and a refusal to continue.
Toddlers spend energy like they have a secret solar panel.
Toddlers spend energy like they have a secret solar panel.
A funny comparison regarding high activity levels.
I spent all my energy trying to make it work, but it wasn't enough.
I spent all my energy trying to make it work, but it wasn't enough.
Expresses deep emotional investment and sadness.
Test Yourself
Choose the best preposition to complete the sentence.
You shouldn't spend so much energy ___ worrying about things you can't change.
In English, we almost always spend energy 'on' a person, task, or activity.
Complete the phrase based on the context of saving effort.
I'm trying to ___ my energy for the big race tomorrow.
'Conserve' is the opposite of 'spend' and means to save your energy for later.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Spend Energy'
Used with friends about daily chores.
I can't spend energy on cooking tonight.
Standard use in most conversations.
How much energy should we spend on this?
Used in professional reports or speeches.
The organization must spend energy on reform.
Where to Spend Your Energy
Gym/Fitness
Spending energy on the treadmill.
Office/Work
Spending energy on a presentation.
Relationships
Spending energy on a difficult talk.
Mental Health
Not spending energy on negativity.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThey are very similar, but spend energy sounds more intentional and personal, whereas use energy is more scientific or general.
Yes! Adding 'my' or 'your' makes it feel more personal and emphasizes that it is your own limited resource.
Absolutely. It is a neutral phrase that works perfectly in professional settings, like saying We should spend our energy on the most profitable clients.
The most common opposites are saving energy or conserving energy.
Yes, it is used for mental and emotional effort just as much as physical effort, like spending energy on a math problem.
Yes, waste energy is a very common variation used when the effort didn't produce a good result.
No, it is not slang. It is a standard English collocation used by all age groups.
Yes, it means you are giving them your time, attention, and emotional support.
A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, like saying spend energy in instead of spend energy on.
You can say I've spent all my energy or simply I'm spent, which is a common idiom for being exhausted.
Related Phrases
Exert effort
To put physical or mental strength into a task (more formal).
Waste one's breath
To spend energy talking to someone who won't listen.
Burn calories
The physical process of spending energy through exercise.
Go the extra mile
To spend more energy than is expected of you.
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