To burn the candle at both ends

Definitions

• overexert oneself
  Describe the act of working or staying up late into the night and waking up early in the morning, leading to exhaustion

• waste resources
  Refer to the squandering of time, energy, or money by engaging in activities that are not sustainable

Examples of To burn the candle at both ends

• Sarah has been working late every night and sleeping very little. She's really burning the candle at both ends lately.

  The phrase "burning the candle at both ends" means to live a very hectic and busy lifestyle, often to the point of exhaustion. In Sarah's case, she's been working late into the night and not getting enough sleep, which is causing her to feel incredibly tired and run down.

• Jake has been studying for his exams for weeks, staying up until all hours of the night to cram in as much information as possible. He's really burning the candle at both ends in the hope of getting a good grade.

  Similar to Sarah's situation, Jake is working himself into exhaustion by studying for long hours without giving himself enough time to rest or sleep. This can be a common strategy for students preparing for exams, but it's not necessarily a sustainable one in the long term.

• Jessica has been juggling multiple jobs and extracurricular activities, barely finding time to relax or unwind. She's been burning the candle at both ends for months now, and it's starting to take a toll on her mental and physical health.

  Jessica's hectic lifestyle is causing her a lot of stress and fatigue, which can have negative effects on her overall health and wellbeing. It's important to find a balance between work and play, and to give yourself time to rest and recharge.

• Mark has been working overtime at the office, skipping his lunch break and staying late to finish his tasks. He's been burning the candle at both ends for several weeks now, and his colleagues are starting to notice the toll it's taking on him.

  Mark's overcommitment to his job is starting to have an impact on his performance and relationships with his coworkers. By working so much, he's missing out on important social and professional connections, and may be sacrificing his long-term success for short-term gains.

• Emily had been burning the candle at both ends for weeks, working late nights and partying hard on weekends.

  This is an idiom that means to overexert oneself by engaging in excessively demanding activities for prolonged periods. In this context, Emily is working extremely long hours at night and then going out to socialize during weekends. Consequently, she is not getting enough sleep or rest, leading to exhaustion and potentially poor performance at work or other aspects of her life.

• Jake's new startup was burning the candle at both ends as he constantly juggled multiple tasks and deadlines.

  Similar to the previous example, this idiom is used to describe someone who is working too hard and not allowing themselves enough time to rest. In Jake's case, the startup is a new venture, and he is trying to manage it while handling several other demanding responsibilities simultaneously.

• Sarah's hectic lifestyle was burning the candle at both ends, and she realized she needed to make some changes.

  This example illustrates a situation where the idiom is used to express the realization that excessive working and socializing might not be a sustainable lifestyle. In Sarah's case, she was working during the day and partying at night, leading to a lack of sleep and self-care. Eventually, she decided that she needed to find a better balance between work and personal life to avoid being overexhausted.

• The project's success hinged on whether the team could avoid burning the candle at both ends in the final stages of development.

  In this context, the idiom is used to convey the importance of avoiding excessive overworking leading up to a critical juncture or event. By avoiding exhaustion and burnout, the team can perform effectively and deliver high-quality results that contribute to achieving project success.

Conclusion

The idiom "to burn the candle at both ends" is used to convey the idea of overexerting oneself or wasting resources. It can be used to caution against overworking or engaging in activities that are not sustainable, leading to exhaustion or negative consequences.

The first meaning of the idiom is to discourage overexertion, especially in terms of work or sleep. It advises against pushing oneself too hard by working late into the night and waking up early, warning that it will result in exhaustion.

The second meaning of the idiom is to caution against wasting resources, such as time, energy, or money, by engaging in activities that are not sustainable. It suggests that such behavior will not lead to positive outcomes and may result in negative consequences.

Overall, the idiom is used to advise against overexerting oneself or wasting resources by engaging in unsustainable activities.

Origin of "To burn the candle at both ends"

The origin of the idiom "to burn the candle at both ends" can be traced back to the literal act of burning a candle. In the past, candles were a primary source of light, and burning them at both ends would result in the candle burning out quickly. This literal meaning has been figuratively applied to the idea of overexertion or wasting resources.

The phrase is believed to have originated in the 18th century and has been used in English literature to convey the concept of excessive exertion or wastefulness. The image of a candle burning at both ends effectively captures the idea of using up resources too quickly, leading to exhaustion or negative consequences.

Overall, the idiom "to burn the candle at both ends" has its origins in the literal act of burning a candle and has been figuratively applied to caution against overexertion or wastefulness. Examples of its usage can be found in various literary works throughout history.