There is no hard and fast rule regarding this subject.

To beggars description

Being an introvert, He will only eat his <u><em>heart out</em></u>.

He has <u><em>come up</em></u> during the last five years.

<u><em>Once in a while</em></u> he might gamble a little.

My car <u><em>broke down</em></u> on way to the railway station.

To beat the air

It was <u><em>out of place</em></u> for him to talk on politics when the seminar was arranged to…

I am afraid he is <u><em>burning the candle</em></u> at both ends.