burn the candle at both ends

burn the candle at both ends

to get little sleep or rest because you are busy until late every night and you get up early every morning. She'd been burning the candle at both ends studying for her exams and made herself ill. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: both, burn, candle, end

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burn the candle at both ends

to regularly stay awake late and get up early because you are too busy. I'm busy trying to get ready for the holidays and burning the candle at both ends.

See also: both, burn, candle, end