Burn the midnight oil
Work late into the night
I've been burning the midnight oil all week to get this presentation ready.
You have a big exam tomorrow, so you're still reviewing notes at 1 a.m. with coffee.
Literally it refers to staying up late using oil lamps for light, burning oil after midnight.
In practice it means working or studying late into the night, usually because of deadlines or pressure. It's a classic idiom that sounds a bit old-fashioned, but still common and clearly understood. People often use it to imply effort and sacrifice, not just being awake late for fun.
"Burn the midnight oil" does not mean spend money too freely for fun, stay out late to socialize, take time off to relax. It specifically means "Work late into the night".
Hear It in Action
Watch real videos where "Burn the midnight oil" is used naturally.
Why Learn English expressions that make you sound native?
🎯 Why Learn English Expressions and Idioms
You can study English grammar for years, ace vocabulary tests, and still sound awkward in real conversations. The difference between textbook English and native fluency isn't grammar rules — it's expressions. Native English speakers communicate through idioms, phrasal verbs, and fixed expressions that have meanings far beyond their literal words. If you've ever heard 'break a leg', 'beat around the bush', or 'the ball is in your court' and needed a moment to process, this course fills that gap. Real English fluency means understanding not just words, but the expressions that carry cultural meaning and natural flow.
👤 Who This Course Is For
This course is perfect for intermediate English learners (A2-B1 level) who have solid grammar foundations but want to sound more natural, international professionals working in English-speaking environments who need to understand workplace idioms, students preparing for immersion in English-speaking countries, and English learners frustrated by the gap between their textbook knowledge and real conversations. You should be comfortable with basic English conversation and ready to expand your expressive range with authentic native expressions.
📚 What You'll Learn
Master dozens of essential English expressions used daily by native speakers. Learn classic idioms like 'bite the bullet' (face a difficult situation), 'spill the beans' (reveal a secret), 'under the weather' (feeling ill), and 'once in a blue moon' (very rarely). Understand common phrasal verbs like 'figure out', 'catch up', 'put up with', and 'come across'. Discover conversational expressions like 'you bet', 'no kidding', 'that makes sense', and 'I can't complain'. Each expression includes detailed explanations of both literal and figurative meanings, usage contexts, formality levels, and common mistakes to avoid.