shoot one's bolt

/ʃˈuːt wˈɒnz bˈəʊlt/

/ʃˈuːt wˈʌnz bˈoʊlt/

to shoot one's bolt

to be unable to continue doing something because one has used all one's resources

Examples

1. He started off the game well but seemed to have shot his bolt by half-time.

2. He shot his bolt with the stimulus program.