We’ve all had those nights when sleep feels optional and deadlines feel urgent. Whether it’s studying for exams or finishing a work project, you’ve probably heard someone say they had to burn the midnight oil to get it done. This classic idiom perfectly captures the struggle—and determination—of late-night effort.
Meaning of Burn the Midnight Oil
To burn the midnight oil means to work late into the night, often past midnight, in order to complete a task or achieve a goal. It usually suggests dedication, hard work, and sometimes a bit of sacrifice when it comes to sleep.
Main meanings include:
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Staying awake late to study or work
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Putting in extra effort beyond normal hours
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Working intensely, especially at night
One-sentence summary:
To burn the midnight oil means to stay up very late working hard on something important.
Origin of Burn the Midnight Oil
The origin of burn the midnight oil goes back several centuries, long before electricity lit our homes. In the past, people relied on oil lamps or candles to see after dark. If someone was still working after midnight, they would literally be burning oil to keep their lamps glowing.
The phrase appeared in English literature as early as the 17th century. One notable example is found in the works of writer Francis Quarles, who used similar imagery to describe late-night study and devotion. Over time, the phrase evolved from a literal description into a figurative expression representing late-night hard work.
Even though we now burn electricity instead of oil, the idiom has survived—and thrives—because the experience it describes is still very real.
Examples in Sentences
Here are some everyday examples showing how burn the midnight oil is used in different situations:
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The students had to burn the midnight oil to prepare for their final exams.
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She’s been burning the midnight oil all week to finish her novel.
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The legal team burned the midnight oil to meet the court deadline.
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I can’t come out tonight—I’ll be burning the midnight oil at work.
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Entrepreneurs often burn the midnight oil when launching a new business.
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He burned the midnight oil fixing bugs before the software release.
These examples show that the idiom works well in both casual conversations and formal writing.
Similar Idioms or Phrases
If you like variety in your language, here are a few idioms and phrases with similar meanings:
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Pull an all-nighter – To stay awake all night without sleeping, usually for work or study.
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Work around the clock – To work continuously, day and night.
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Burn the candle at both ends – To overwork yourself by staying busy from early morning to late night.
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Late-night grind – A modern, informal phrase describing intense nighttime work.
Each of these expressions highlights effort and endurance, but burn the midnight oil has a more classic and literary feel.
I’ve personally used burn the midnight oil countless times, especially when writing or preparing content under tight deadlines. There’s something oddly motivating about quiet late-night hours, even if I regret it the next morning. Still, this idiom feels like a badge of commitment—proof that you cared enough to go the extra mile.
As we’ve seen, burn the midnight oil is a timeless idiom that connects historical life with modern ambition. It means working late, often sacrificing rest, to accomplish something meaningful. From its oil-lamp origins to today’s screen-lit nights, the phrase remains as relevant as ever. Do you use burn the midnight oil in your everyday conversations?