Home › Idioms

burn the candle at both ends

Meaning: To overwork oneself.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Daily Life

Origin: The expression suggests that one is wasting one's resources or energy.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • burned out — Lacking enthusiasm due to overexposure or too much of the same thing; completely used up;…
  • burning question — A question that deserves or demands discussion.
  • butt in — To interfere (sentence 1) or literally to push one's way in between other people (sentenc…
  • buy something for a song — To buy something very cheaply.
  • go by the book — Operate according to the rules.
  • do something by the seat of one's pants — To accomplish something by luck and instinct rather than skill.

More English idioms

  • by hook or by crook — By one way or another; by any means possible.
  • call someone on the carpet — To confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed.
  • call someone's bluff — To challenge someone to carry out a threat or prove the truth of a statement.
  • call a spade a spade — To speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant.
  • call the shots — To be in control or to give orders.
  • open a can of worms — A situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences.

← Back to Idioms

Loading the full interactive collection…