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Rule of thumb
The phrase a rule of thumb means a simple guideline based on experience. It originates from when tradesmen used to roughly estimate measurements using the size of their thumb rather than any more accurate means.As a rule of thumb, save some money each month.
Run out of steam
To run out of steam means to lose energy, strength, or motivation before something is finished.The idiom comes from the era of steam engines such as old trains and factory machines. When the boiler no longer produced enough steam, the engine would slow down and eventually stop.
We were making good progress on the hike, but I ran out of steam near the top of the hill.