burn the midnight oil

Meaning

This idiom means to stay up late working or studying into the night. It originates from the historical practice of using oil lamps to read or work after dark.

Examples

• I have an exam tomorrow, so I'll probably be burning the midnight oil tonight.

  I have an exam tomorrow, so I'll probably be burning the midnight oil tonight.

• She has been burning the midnight oil all week to finish the project on time.

  She has been burning the midnight oil all week to finish the project on time.

• There's no need to burn the midnight oil; just finish the report tomorrow morning.

  There's no need to burn the midnight oil; just finish the report tomorrow morning.

• The lights in his office are still on; he must be burning the midnight oil.

  The lights in his office are still on; he must be burning the midnight oil.

• I used to burn the midnight oil in college, but now I prefer to sleep early.

  I used to burn the midnight oil in college, but now I prefer to sleep early.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I burned the midnight oil lamp to study.

  ✓ I burned the midnight oil to study.

  Do not add the word 'lamp' to the idiom; 'midnight oil' is the fixed phrase.

• ✗ She was burning midnight oil last night.

  ✓ She was burning the midnight oil last night.

  The definite article 'the' is required before 'midnight oil'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to pass this difficult test, you might have to ___ tonight.

  💡 study late into the night

  Show answer

  burn the midnight oil

• He has been ___ to get the presentation ready for the client.

  💡 working late hours (continuous form)

  Show answer

  burning the midnight oil