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Burn the Candle at Both Ends

What Does "Burn the Candle at Both Ends" Mean?

homeidiomsBurn the Candle at Both Ends
"Burn the candle at both ends" is an English idiom. It means "to work or do something from early in the morning until late at night, thus overexerting oneself."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "burn the candle at both ends" used in a sentence:
  • She's been burning the candle at both ends preparing for the exam.
  • You can't burn the candle at both ends without getting exhausted eventually.
  • Between school and work, he feels like he's constantly burning the candle at both ends.
meaning for burn the candle at both ends

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Burn the Candle at Both Ends" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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