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“Burn the midnight oil” 🔥
Meaning: To work late into the night, often to meet a deadline or complete a task.
Origin
The phrase originated in the 17th century, when people used oil lamps for lighting. As the clock struck midnight, someone would need to burn more oil, hence “burning the midnight oil” became a metaphor for working late at night.
Real-Time Example
It was Friday evening and Emma had a project due on Monday morning. She spent most of her free time that weekend researching, designing, and writing, determined to meet the deadline. As she poured over her notes in her cozy coffee shop office, her laptop screen illuminated by the glow of the city lights outside, she muttered to herself, “I’ll just burn the midnight oil tonight and get this done.”
Other Everyday Contexts
| Situation | Usage |
|---|---|
| Working on a tight deadline at the office | “I need to burn the midnight oil to meet this Friday’s sales target.” |
| Studying for an early morning exam | “If I don’t study now, I’ll be burning the midnight oil tomorrow and won’t be able to sleep anyway.” |
| Trying to finish a long piece of writing before it’s due | “I’ve been burning the midnight oil all week, but this last chapter is still not finished.” |
In short: Burn the midnight oil means putting in extra effort or working late into the night to get something done.