Burn the candle at both ends
Meaning
To exhaust oneself by working or socializing excessively, often staying up late and waking early.
Origin
The literal image of lighting both ends of a candle is one of obvious waste and rapid consumption, causing it to burn down twice as fast. This visual metaphor for exhausting one's resources or energy at an unsustainable rate found its way into the English language in 1690, first appearing in Thomas D'Urfey's play, "Love for Money." Though often attributed to later French literary figures, the English phrase has consistently conveyed the perils of overexertion, depicting a life lived at a pace that quickly diminishes one's reserves.
Examples
- After weeks of studying all night and working during the day, she realized she was burning the candle at both ends and desperately needed a break.
- My boss warned me not to burn the candle at both ends, reminding me that a sustainable pace is more productive than constant overtime.