All phrases › burn the candle at both ends
What does “burn the candle at both ends” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
To overwork and under-rest, risking burnout
“She's been burning the candle at both ends all semester.”
From the C1 lesson Switching Off (downtime and balance).
Quick check
What does “burn the candle at both ends” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“burn the candle at both ends” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 1 (Life, People and Places).
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Related phrases
- unplugto stop engaging with work, screens or responsibilities, even briefly
- decompressto relax and let go of tension after a stressful period
- run yourself into the groundto exhaust yourself completely through overwork
- know when to call it quits (for the day)to recognize the right moment to stop working
- take stockto pause and honestly assess your situation
- come up for airto take a brief break during an intense period
- live to work rather than work to liveto prioritize your job over the rest of your life
- be in dire need of (something)to urgently and obviously need something
- hit a wallto reach a sudden point of exhaustion or inability to continue