Burn the Midnight Oil

Definition

Burn the midnight oil is an idiom meaning to work late into the night, especially in order to complete a task, study, or meet a deadline.

Parts of Speech

• Idiom
• Phrasal verb (intransitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /bɜrn ðə ˈmɪdˌnaɪt ɔɪl/
• Respelling: BURN the MID-nyt OYL

British English

• IPA: /bɜːn ðə ˈmɪd.naɪt ɔɪl/
• Respelling: BURN the MID-nyt OYL

Etymology

Late 17th century: from the literal practice of burning oil in lamps late into the night to continue reading or working by lamp or candlelight.

Derivatives

• burns the midnight oil (3rd person)
• burned the midnight oil (past tense)
• burning the midnight oil (gerund/participle)

Synonyms

• pull an all-nighter
• work late
• stay up late
• keep the lamp burning

Antonyms

• call it a day
• quit early
• go to bed early

Usage

The idiom "burn the midnight oil" is used in academic, professional, and informal contexts to describe working or studying late into the night. For example, "She had to burn the midnight oil to finish her thesis," or "We burned the midnight oil preparing for the presentation."

Related Terms

• All-nighter: A session of staying awake all night to work or study.
• Overtime: Time worked beyond the normal working hours.
• Deadline: The time or date by which something must be finished.
• Late-night: Occurring or used during the late hours of the night.
• Workaholic: A person who compulsively works long and hard hours.

Detailed Definitions

Idiom / Phrasal Verb

• To engage in work or study late into the night – to continue efforts past usual hours.
  • Example: "He burned the midnight oil writing his dissertation."
• To exert extra effort under time pressure – to push oneself to meet a looming deadline or goal.
  • Example: "With the project due tomorrow, the team is burning the midnight oil."