Cool MateMeaning of Burning the midnight oil
Working late into the night on tasks or studies.
In simple words: Staying up late to work or study.
Burning the midnight oil in a sentence
- I was burning the midnight oil to finish my project on time.
- She often burns the midnight oil during finals week.
- Don't forget to take breaks while burning the midnight oil!
How to use Burning the midnight oil
Commonly used in informal settings, particularly when discussing work or study habits. Avoid in formal writing.
Grammar pattern
standalone idiom
Memory hint
Imagine a student studying late with a lamp burning – that’s the 'midnight oil'.
Related words
Collocations with Burning the midnight oil
- burning the midnight oil hours
- burning the midnight oil regularly
- burning the midnight oil while studying
Synonyms for Burning the midnight oil
- working late
- staying up late
- night studying
- late-night work
Opposites of Burning the midnight oil
- turning in early
- going to bed on time
- retiring early
Common mistakes with Burning the midnight oil
- Confused with 'burning the candle at both ends'.
- Used in formal contexts where it sounds too casual.
- Not recognizing it as an idiom; interpreting literally.
Burning the midnight oil appears in
Burning the midnight oil in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
السهر للعمل
السهر لوقت متأخر للعمل أو الدراسة.
- Bengaliবাংলা
রাত জেগে কাজ করা
কাজ বা পড়াশোনার জন্য অনেক রাত পর্যন্ত জেগে থাকা।
- GermanDeutsch
Bis in die Puppen arbeiten
Bis spät in die Nacht arbeiten oder lernen.
- SpanishEspañol
Trasnochar
Quedarse despierto hasta tarde para trabajar o estudiar.
- Persianفارسی
شبزندهداری
تا دیروقت بیدار ماندن برای کار یا مطالعه.
- FrenchFrançais
Travailler tard le soir
Rester éveillé tard pour travailler ou étudier.
- Hindiहिन्दी
देर रात तक काम करना
काम या पढ़ाई के लिए देर तक जागना।
- ItalianItaliano
Lavorare fino a tardi
Stare svegli fino a tardi per lavorare o studiare.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Virar a noite
Ficar acordado até tarde para trabalhar ou estudar.
- RussianРусский
работать допоздна, засиживаться допоздна
Засиживаться допоздна, чтобы работать или учиться.
- Urduاردو
راتب
راتب
- Chinese中文
熬夜
为了工作或学习而熬夜。
More idioms like Burning the midnight oil
- Come on
A phrase used to urge or motivate someone.
- Exquisite taste
A refined and distinguished understanding of quality and flavor.
- Do you want it
A question asking if someone desires something.
- MillionA1
1 000 000
- Good point
A valid or insightful remark in a discussion.
- PleaseA1
used as a polite way of asking for something or telling somebody to do something
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Frequently asked questions about Burning the midnight oil
What does Burning the midnight oil mean?
Staying up late to work or study.
What is the definition of Burning the midnight oil?
Working late into the night on tasks or studies.
How do you use Burning the midnight oil in a sentence?
I was burning the midnight oil to finish my project on time.
Can you give another example of Burning the midnight oil?
She often burns the midnight oil during finals week.
What are synonyms for Burning the midnight oil?
Common alternatives include working late, staying up late, night studying, late-night work.
What is the opposite of Burning the midnight oil?
Opposite meanings include turning in early, going to bed on time, retiring early.
What words go with Burning the midnight oil?
It commonly pairs with burning the midnight oil hours, burning the midnight oil regularly, burning the midnight oil while studying.
What are common mistakes when using Burning the midnight oil?
Confused with 'burning the candle at both ends'. Used in formal contexts where it sounds too casual. Not recognizing it as an idiom; interpreting literally.
How do you pronounce Burning the midnight oil?
US: //ˈbɜrnɪŋ ðə ˈmɪdnaɪt ɔɪl//, UK: //ˈbɜːnɪŋ ðə ˈmɪdnaɪt ɔɪl//. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
Is Burning the midnight oil formal or informal?
"Burning the midnight oil" is informal, so it fits casual conversation with friends and family.
When should I use Burning the midnight oil?
Commonly used in informal settings, particularly when discussing work or study habits. Avoid in formal writing.