Burn the midnight oil: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Burn the midnight oil” mean?

"Burn the midnight oil" means to work or study late into the night.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I have a big exam tomorrow, so I'll be burning the midnight oil tonight.

Example

The deadline for this project is tomorrow, so I'll be burning the midnight oil to get it done.

Example

She's been burning the midnight oil all week to finish writing her novel

Is “Burn the midnight oil” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Burn the midnight oil” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Burn the midnight oil” effectively in context?

You can use "Burn the Midnight Oil" to describe working or studying late into the night. It emphasizes the dedication and effort put into a task. For example, if a friend asks what you'll be doing tonight, you might say, 'I have a big exam tomorrow, so I'll be burning the midnight oil.'

• 1. Education

  To prepare for the final exams, she decided to burn the midnight oil and study until late at night.

• 2. Work

  The project deadline is approaching, so the team has been burning the midnight oil to complete it on time.

• 3. Creative Pursuits

  She's passionate about writing, so she often burns the midnight oil to work on her novel.

Similar phrases to “Burn the midnight oil”:

Pull an all-nighter

To stay awake and work or study throughout the entire night

Example

I have a lot of assignments due tomorrow, so I'll have to pull an all-nighter.

Work around the clock

To work continuously without stopping, often for an extended period of time

Example

The team had to work around the clock to meet the tight deadline.

Burning the candle at both ends

To work or do activities late into the night and wake up early in the morning, resulting in little sleep

Example

He's been burning the candle at both ends with his job and side projects.

Put in extra hours

To work additional hours beyond the normal schedule

Example

She put in extra hours to finish the project before the deadline.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Burn the midnight oil” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Burn the Midnight Oil" is unknown.

Is “Burn the midnight oil” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Burn the Midnight Oil" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe working or studying late into the night, especially when there is a deadline or a lot of work to be done.

What tone does “Burn the midnight oil” have?

"Burn the Midnight Oil" conveys a tone of dedication and hard work. It implies that the person is willing to put in extra effort and sacrifice sleep to achieve their goals.

Can “Burn the midnight oil” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "burn the midnight oil" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes working or studying late into the night. You can use it in casual conversations with friends or colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as interviews, presentations, or academic discussions.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I have a deadline tomorrow, so I'll be burning the midnight oil.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "burn the midnight oil"!' to imply readiness to work late.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• stay up late
• work late
• study late
• pull a late night
• bust one's tail

Antonyms

• call it a night
• relax
• unwind
• get some rest
• take a break