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Idioms & Expressions
Burning the candle at both ends
Discussing someone's unsustainable schedule
Literal Meaning
To set fire to both ends of a candle; to burn a candle from both ends.
Actual Meaning
Exhausting yourself by working too hard or staying up late and waking early
Examples in Context

'You're burning the candle at both ends - you need rest.' (Translation: You're overworking)

Helpful Tips
  • 1About exhaustion
  • 2Unsustainable pace
  • 3Often a warning
Phrase Thesaurus
Similar words and synonyms for this phrase
exhausting oneself
working overtime
hustling too hard
overextending
burning out
Related Phrases
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WFH
It is what it is