English Explanatory Dictionary

burn the candle at both ends

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To work hard night and day; to sleep late and wake up early; to overwork or overexert oneself.
  2. To waste or expend resources twice over; to be doubly profligate.

Word forms

burn the candle at both ends burns the candle at both ends burning the candle at both ends burned the candle at both ends burnt the candle at both ends burn one's candle at both ends

Etymology

Calque of French brûler la chandelle par les deux bouts. First attested in the 18th century, originally in the sense “to be doubly profligate”.

Related words

burn the midnight oil not worth the candle the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long
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