English idiom

burn the midnight oil

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

To stay up very late working or studying.

Why this phrase?

From the era when people worked late by the light of an oil lamp.

Example

“She burned the midnight oil to finish the report on time.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

call it a day

To decide to stop working on something for now.

do the job

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

have your hands full

To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.

hit the ground running

to start a new job or project with immediate energy and effectiveness, without needing a slow start

hit the sack

To go to bed.

learn the ropes

To learn how to do a job or task properly.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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