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burn the midnight oil

To work studiously, especially late into the night.

Etymology:

  • Originally referring to the act of burning oil in lamps for light and safety. The noun midnight oil is attested from mid 17thc.
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“

He was burning the midnight oil all night to finish his paper.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'burn the midnight oil':

Burn the Midnight OilTo work overnight, work or study till late night
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Bränn midnatts oljan

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to burn the midnight oil

Burn Your Bridges behind Youdo a slow burnburn one's fingerscrude oilburn offburn offoil and waterburn outburn one's bridgesoil burnerLard-Oiloil paintingburn rubberburn the candle at both ends

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