Is burn the midnight oil formal or informal?

It is a little formal and old-fashioned. It is common in writing, speeches, and exams.

What is the difference between burn the midnight oil and work late?

Work late is plain and modern. Burn the midnight oil sounds more expressive and often praises hard work.

Can I use burn the midnight oil in business writing?

Yes, but it sounds a bit literary. In business writing, work late is usually simpler.

← Dictionary

to-burn-the-midnight-oil

/tʊ bɜːn ðə ˌmɪd.naɪt ˈɔɪl/

IELTSAcademic

idiom

To work or study very late into the night. It often suggests hard effort, especially before a deadline.

She burned the midnight oil before her exam.
We burned the midnight oil to finish the report.
He often burns the midnight oil at work.

Adinary Nuance

Burn the midnight oil is more old-fashioned and literary than simply "work late" or "stay up late." It often sounds positive, showing effort, discipline, or dedication. Writers use it when they want to stress hard work, not just late hours.

In other languages

Vietnamese: thức khuya làm việc
Spanish: trabajar hasta tarde
Chinese: 熬夜工作
Japanese: 夜遅くまで働く
Korean: 밤늦게까지 일하다

Etymology

This idiom comes from the days before electric light, when people used oil lamps at night. It has been used in English since the 1800s.

Common phrases

burn the midnight oilhave to burn the midnight oilburning the midnight oil

Synonyms

work late stay up late pull an all-nighter

Related words

deadline overtime late-night study

Frequently asked questions

Is burn the midnight oil formal or informal?: It is a little formal and old-fashioned. It is common in writing, speeches, and exams.
What is the difference between burn the midnight oil and work late?: Work late is plain and modern. Burn the midnight oil sounds more expressive and often praises hard work.
Can I use burn the midnight oil in business writing?: Yes, but it sounds a bit literary. In business writing, work late is usually simpler.