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Burn the Candle at Both Ends

To work more than usual, to extraordinary work (mentally or physical) until you get tired

Etymology:

  • In the late 16th century, this French expression entered into English. Originally, if you took a candle and burned it at both ends, it would be melted faster than usual. Therefore, this expression is used for those who work hard day and night until they get exhausted.
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Mr. Walter works as a salesman in a shop during the day and as a waiter in a restaurant at night. He is burning the candle at both ends.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Additional definitions for 'Burn the Candle at Both Ends':

burn the candle at both endsTo work hard night and day.
burn the candle at both endsTo waste something in two directions at once.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to Burn the Candle at Both Ends

cut both waysburn offburn offburn to a crispburn rubberburn downburn outburn everything russian except the sour…candle in the windburn upCan't Hold a Candle Toburn upbutter one's bread on both sidesburn down

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    "Burn the Candle at Both Ends." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/burn-the-candle-at-both-ends_44519>.

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