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[0943] Burn the candle at both ends

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To work excessively hard, from early morning until late at night, thereby exhausting oneself; trying to do too much simultaneously, leading to rapid depletion of energy or resources.

Origin

  • Metaphor derives from the use of candles for light before electricity.
  • A candle lit at only one end burns for a certain duration.
  • If lit at both ends simultaneously, it produces more light but burns out twice as fast.
  • This symbolizes using up one's energy, time, or resources at an unsustainable rate.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Overwork oneself
  • Run oneself ragged / Drive oneself into the ground
  • Spread oneself too thin
  • Work day and night / Work around the clock
  • Pull all-nighters (Specifically staying up all night to work/study)
  • Bite off more than one can chew (Take on too much responsibility)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Grinding / Hustling (Can be positive/neutral or negative depending on context)
  • Running on fumes (Almost out of energy)
  • Pulling double duty (Doing two demanding roles/jobs)
  • Maxed out (Reached capacity/limit)
  • Spread too thin

Milder/Standard:

  • Working very long hours
  • Overextending oneself
  • Being overworked / overloaded
  • Having too much on one's plate

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Used to describe or express concern about overwork and exhaustion.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Learners might miss the strong negative connotation of exhaustion and unsustainability. Ensure they understand it's not just working hard but working *too* hard.

Examples

  • Studying for finals while working two jobs means she's constantly burning the candle at both ends.
  • You look exhausted. You can't keep burning the candle at both ends like this.
  • He burned the candle at both ends to finish the project deadline, sleeping only a few hours a night.

Dialogue

Friend 1: You seem really tired lately, Alex. Everything okay?

Alex: Yeah, just... swamped. I'm taking extra classes, working weekends, and trying to train for a marathon.

Friend 1: Wow, that's a lot. You're really burning the candle at both ends. Make sure you're getting enough sleep.

Alex: I know, I know. It's tough. I need to find a better balance soon.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Classic burning the candle at both ends situation this week. Coffee is my best friend. ☕️ #WorkLife #Exhausted #HustleCulture
  • Instagram Post (caption for a tired selfie): Reminder to self: stop burning the candle at both ends. Rest is not a luxury, it's a necessity. #Burnout #SelfCare
  • Facebook Update: Anyone else feel like they're constantly burning the candle at both ends just to keep up? #AdultingIsHard

Response Patterns

  • Expressing Concern: You need to rest! / Take care of yourself. / That's not sustainable.
  • Relating/Empathy: I know that feeling. / I've been there.
  • Advising Caution: Be careful not to burn out.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing someone is burning the candle at both ends:

  • Ask Why are you working so hard? or What's keeping you so busy?.
  • Encourage them to rest or seek help.
  • Ask How are you coping?.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes a state of overexertion or an unsustainable lifestyle.

Intonation

  • Stress often falls on burn, both, and ends. She's been BURNing the candle at BOTH ENDS.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood. The imagery is strong even if candles aren't the primary light source anymore.

Regional Variations

  • Common in most English-speaking regions.
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