Burn the midnight oil
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
To work late into the night, often implying diligence or effort beyond normal hours.
Origin
Refers to the historical use of oil lamps for light, where someone would keep the lamp burning past midnight to continue their tasks.
Usage Examples
- She burned the midnight oil to finish her novel before the deadline.
- We were all burning the midnight oil to prepare for the big presentation.
- He's been burning the midnight oil studying for his finals.
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