Meaning: This idiom refers to working late into the night, usually to complete a task or project before a deadline. It implies putting in extra effort and sacrificing sleep to get work done.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “With the deadline approaching, I’ve been burning the midnight oil to finish the report on time.”
- “She’s been burning the midnight oil studying for her exams.”
- “The team has been burning the midnight oil to prepare for the upcoming presentation.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “burning the midnight oil” can be traced back to a time before electric lighting when people relied on oil lamps or candles to illuminate their workspaces. In order to work late into the night, individuals would need to keep these lamps or candles burning, hence the expression “burning the midnight oil.” Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent any situation where someone is working diligently late into the night, regardless of the method of illumination.
