THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Burn the candle at both ends
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
Usage note: keep in mind
Burn the candle at both ends describes using up energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, with too little rest. The past forms burned and burnt are both used. The expression often conveys concern about a demanding routine.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- She’s been burning the candle at both ends to balance her job and night classes.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the two questions without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 2 checked correctly
Review the meaning
To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
2. Can you recall the expression?
Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?
To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
Show the answer
Burn the candle at both ends — To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Burn the candle at both ends” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
To use up your energy by staying active late at night and starting early again, leaving too little time for rest.
Compare: She’s been burning the candle at both ends to balance her job and night classes.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
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GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- With an early shift and late-night study sessions, I was burning the candle at both ends.
- She realised she had been burning the candle at both ends and reorganised her timetable.
Check your understanding
A learner studies until 2 a.m. and starts work at 6 a.m. What aspect of the routine makes the idiom fit?
Check your answer
The combination of late nights and early starts leaves little time for rest. The expression describes the demanding pattern, not simply enjoying study.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where burn the candle at both ends fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.