burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night
Literally: To burn the oil in a lamp at midnight
Use this to describe intense, late-night productivity for work or school assignments.
In 15 Seconds
- Working or studying very late into the night.
- Implies high effort and a looming deadline.
- Refers to old oil lamps used before electricity.
Meaning
This phrase means you are staying up very late into the night to finish work or study. It implies you are working hard while everyone else is sleeping.
Key Examples
3 of 6Explaining why you are tired to a friend
Sorry I'm so grumpy; I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my essay.
I had to work late into the night to finish my essay.
A manager praising a team's effort
I know the whole team has been burning the midnight oil to launch this app.
I know the team has been working late nights to launch this app.
Texting a partner about coming home late
Don't wait up for me, I'll be burning the midnight oil at the office tonight.
I will be working very late at the office tonight.
Cultural Background
The expression dates back to the early 17th century, specifically appearing in the works of English poet William Wollaston. It reflects a pre-industrial work ethic where artificial light was a luxury used only for essential progress. In modern English-speaking cultures, it is often viewed with a mix of respect for the hard work and concern for the person's sleep schedule.
The 'Effort' Factor
Only use this if you are actually being productive. If you're just gaming at 2 AM, you aren't burning the midnight oil—you're just staying up late!
Don't say 'Light'
Even though you 'light' a lamp, the idiom is strictly 'burn'. Saying 'light the midnight oil' will sound strange to native speakers.
In 15 Seconds
- Working or studying very late into the night.
- Implies high effort and a looming deadline.
- Refers to old oil lamps used before electricity.
What It Means
Burn the midnight oil describes working long after the sun goes down. It suggests dedication and a bit of exhaustion. You aren't just staying up; you are being productive. It feels more intense than just 'working late.'
How To Use It
You usually use it to describe a specific project or deadline. Use it as a verb phrase in your sentence. You can say you 'need to' or 'have been' burning it. It sounds natural in both past and present tenses.
When To Use It
Use this when a deadline is chasing you. It is perfect for exam week or big work presentations. Tell your boss you stayed up to finish the report. Tell your friends why you look like a zombie today. It shows you are a hard worker.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are just watching Netflix late. That is just being a night owl. It requires actual effort or labor to count. Also, skip it for quick tasks that take ten minutes. It implies a long, grueling night of focus.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a time before light bulbs existed. People used oil lamps to see in the dark. Oil was expensive, so burning it at midnight was a sacrifice. It showed you were truly committed to your craft or studies. Even today, we keep the spirit of the lamp alive.
Common Variations
You might hear people say they are 'pulling an all-nighter.' That is the more modern, slightly more casual version. Some might just say they are 'burning the oil.' However, the full phrase is the most classic way to say it.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works well in both office environments and casual conversations. It specifically emphasizes the *effort* of working late rather than just the time itself.
The 'Effort' Factor
Only use this if you are actually being productive. If you're just gaming at 2 AM, you aren't burning the midnight oil—you're just staying up late!
Don't say 'Light'
Even though you 'light' a lamp, the idiom is strictly 'burn'. Saying 'light the midnight oil' will sound strange to native speakers.
The Modern 'Lamp'
In modern offices, people sometimes say 'the lights are still on' to mean the same thing, but 'burning the midnight oil' sounds more poetic and hardworking.
Examples
6Sorry I'm so grumpy; I had to burn the midnight oil to finish my essay.
I had to work late into the night to finish my essay.
A very common way to explain fatigue due to schoolwork.
I know the whole team has been burning the midnight oil to launch this app.
I know the team has been working late nights to launch this app.
In a professional setting, this acknowledges hard work and sacrifice.
Don't wait up for me, I'll be burning the midnight oil at the office tonight.
I will be working very late at the office tonight.
Short and clear for a quick text update.
My blood type is now 50% coffee after burning the midnight oil all week.
I've been working late so much that I've drunk too much coffee.
Uses humor to highlight the struggle of late-night work.
The only way I could finish the novel was by burning the midnight oil.
I only finished the book by working late every night.
Shows the phrase can apply to creative or personal projects too.
Your willingness to burn the midnight oil during the merger was greatly appreciated.
Your late-night work during the merger was appreciated.
Formal enough for a corporate setting or official feedback.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
If we want to pass the audit, we'll have to ___ the midnight oil this weekend.
The standard idiom is always 'burn' the midnight oil.
Identify the best context for this phrase.
Which situation best fits the phrase? 'I was ___ last night.'
The phrase requires a productive or work-related activity.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Burn the Midnight Oil'
Pulling an all-nighter (Slangy)
I pulled an all-nighter.
Burn the midnight oil (Idiomatic)
I'm burning the midnight oil.
Working overtime / Extended hours
I am working extended hours.
When to Burn the Midnight Oil
Exam Season
Studying for Finals
Work Deadline
Finishing a Report
Creative Project
Writing a Script
Startup Life
Coding a New Feature
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'midnight' just represents the late hours of the night. You could be working until 11 PM or 3 AM and still use this phrase.
Yes, it is very common in professional settings. It shows you are dedicated and putting in extra effort for the company.
Yes, if the hobby involves serious effort. For example, I burned the midnight oil finishing my painting sounds perfectly natural.
Pulling an all-nighter usually means you didn't sleep at all. Burning the midnight oil just means you worked very late, but you might still have slept eventually.
The origin is old, but the phrase is still used daily in offices and schools. It is a timeless classic in English.
No, the phrase is fixed. You cannot change the time of day; it must always be midnight oil.
You can use any tense. I will burn the midnight oil (future), I am burning (present), or I burned (past) are all correct.
Not usually. It is mostly seen as a positive sign of hard work, though it can imply that you are very busy or stressed.
No, you wouldn't use it for a party. Use it for tasks, chores, or study sessions instead.
It is widely used and understood in both! It is a standard idiom across the English-speaking world.
Related Phrases
Pull an all-nighter
To stay awake all night to work or study.
Work the graveyard shift
To have a job where the regular hours are late at night.
Night owl
A person who naturally prefers to stay up late.
Keep your nose to the grindstone
To work extremely hard for a long period.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free