A phrase such as "He is riding my fumes" is like a witty joke in the middle of a comedy. "Riding my fumes" is a metaphorical expression that describes someone whobenefits from or relies on the remnants of another'sefforts, energy, or resources. You are coasting on thetailwind of someone else's actions, like a ship sailing in the wake of another, reaping the benefits without doing the same. Consider, for instance, a carriage propelled forward by the fumes of another vehicle. Furthermore, this expression implies that the person mentioned is piggybacking on the efforts of another and reaping the benefits without contributing fully. Thus, when one says, "He's riding my fumes," they are joking that someone is reaping the rewards of their efforts, much like a humorous line from a play that provokes laughter and reflection.