To “burn the midnight oil” means to stay up late working or studying, especially to meet a deadline or complete a task that requires extra effort. It suggests someone is working hard, often into the night, to accomplish something important.
Meaning and Origin:
This idiom dates back to a time when oil lamps were used for light, and people who worked late into the night would burn oil to keep their lamps lit. In modern usage, it refers to anyone who stays up late to finish a job or meet a goal.
Examples of usage:
In academics:
“With exams coming up, she’s been burning the midnight oil every night to review her notes.”
At work:
“The team had to burn the midnight oil to ensure the project was ready before the big presentation.”
In personal goals:
“He’s been burning the midnight oil working on his new business, trying to launch it by the end of the year.”
Why and when to use this idiom:
“Burn the midnight oil” is a helpful idiom when discussing situations where effort and dedication are needed. It’s frequently used in academic and professional environments, but it can also apply to any personal endeavor requiring extra time and energy. English learners can benefit from understanding this idiom, especially when talking about hard work and perseverance.
Equivalent expressions:
- “Pull an all-nighter” – To stay up all night working on something.
- “Go the extra mile” – To put in more effort than expected or required.
- “Work around the clock” – To work continuously, day and night, to complete something.
Learning idioms like “burn the midnight oil” enriches a learner’s vocabulary and helps them understand common expressions used in both professional and everyday language.
