bɜrn ðə ˈmɪdnaɪt ɔɪl
Work
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- To use oil lamps to work late at night
What does "burn the midnight oil" mean?
- To work late into the night
- To study or work until very late hours
Examples
- I've been burning the midnight oil to finish this report.
- Students often burn the midnight oil during finals week.
- The team burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
Origin
From times before electricity when oil lamps were used for light. Working past dark meant burning lamp oil. First recorded in the 17th century. Francis Quarles used a version in his poem 'Emblemes' (1635).
How to use it
Common expression for working late, especially on academic or professional projects. Less intense than 'burn the candle at both ends.'
Similar expressions
work late
pull an all-nighter
study through the night
Opposites
get plenty of sleep
keep regular hours
Related idioms
- hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what is true or important
- call it a day
To stop working for the day
- have one's hands full
To be very busy with something
- learn the ropes
To learn the basics of a job or activity
- it's not rocket science
It's not difficult to understand or do
- get your act together
To organize yourself and start behaving more responsibly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "burn the midnight oil" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.