burn the midnight oil | Speak Mango

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burn the midnight oil

work late into the night · stay up late working

💡 What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you are pulling an all-nighter or staying up super late to finish a big project, meet a deadline, or study for an exam! 🌙✨ It shows you're really dedicated and willing to put in the extra hours.

💬 Learn with dialogue!

Hey Mike, you look exhausted. Everything alright?

Just a bit tired, Sarah. Had to burn the midnight oil to get that client proposal ready for the morning meeting. But it's done!

🍯 Teacher's Tip!

💡 **Origin Story!** This idiom comes from the days before electricity, when people used oil lamps (often called 'midnight oil') to light their workspaces and homes after dark. So, 'burning the midnight oil' literally meant using up lamp oil to work late! 🔥 Keep this in mind when you want to describe serious dedication to a task.

🔥 Today's Mission!

When would you typically use 'burn the midnight oil'? A. 💤 When you are enjoying a relaxing evening watching TV. B. 👩‍💻 When you are working until 3 AM to finish a presentation for an important client. C. 🏃‍♂️ When you are going for an early morning run.

Check Answer 👇

B

#work #effort #dedication #late night #productivity

Related Topics

English conversationDaily EnglishOne sentence a dayEnglish expressionSpeak Mangostudy EnglishEnglish learninglearn EnglishBusiness Englishburn the midnight oil meaningburn the midnight oil definition

📚 How about these expressions?

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

📚 How about these expressions?

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

come to a head

reach a crisis · reach a critical point

What's the situation?

Imagine a project where small issues have been piling up. Suddenly, everything needs immediate attention! 🤯 This expression is perfect for describing when a situation or problem becomes so urgent that it can no longer be ignored and demands a resolution. It's often used when things get serious and you need to act.

that sounds like a plan

That's a good idea · I agree to that · Let's do it

What's the situation?

When someone suggests an idea or a course of action and you think it's brilliant, practical, and totally doable! 🤩 It's a super positive way to say 'I'm on board!' and show you're ready to get things moving. Perfect for team meetings or client discussions!

free up some time

make time available · create availability in one's schedule

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to find a slot in a busy schedule for a new meeting, project, or task. 🗓️ It's all about clearing your calendar to make space for something important (or just a coffee break!). ☕✨

just spitballing here

simply brainstorming out loud · throwing out undeveloped ideas

What's the situation?

Ever been in a meeting where you wanted to throw out an idea but weren't sure if it was fully formed? 😅 'just spitballing here' is your best friend! It signals that you're sharing an idea that's still raw, open for discussion, and not set in stone. It's great for fostering creativity and showing you're open to feedback!

to foster collaboration

to encourage teamwork · to promote working together

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful in the business world when you want to emphasize the importance of working together! 🤝 It's about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas and supporting each other to achieve common goals. Think of it as planting seeds for awesome teamwork! 🌱

Take it away!

Start your presentation/task now · It's your turn to proceed

What's the situation?

Imagine you're in a meeting, and you've just introduced your colleague, Mike, who's about to present. You want to smoothly hand over the floor to him! 🚀 Or, a manager has explained a task and wants you to kick it off. It's the perfect, energetic way to say, 'Your stage now!'

burn the midnight oil example

work late into the night synonym

another way to say work late into the night

alternatives to work late into the night

stay up late working synonym

another way to say stay up late working

alternatives to stay up late working