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to burn the candle at both ends
[burn] {one's} [candle] at both ends
to burn the candle at both ends
01
to drain oneself by working very late into the night and getting up early in the morning
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Idiom
What is the origin of the idiom "burn the candle at both ends" and when to use it?
The phrase "burn the candle at both ends" is believed to have originated in the 18th century, and it is a reference to the practice of burning a candle at both ends to make it burn faster and brighter. It is used to describe someone who is working very hard or engaging in activities that require a lot of energy and effort, often to the point of exhaustion or burnout.
Examples
If you keep burning the candle at both ends, you will get sick.
