Burning the midnight oil意思

"Burning the midnight oil" is an English idiom that means staying up late at night, usually working or studying. It implies that someone is putting in extra effort or working hard by extending their work hours into the late evening or night. The phrase suggests that the individual is so dedicated or busy that they are still burning candles (or using oil lamps) at midnight, which is traditionally considered the time when most people would go to sleep.

This idiom is often used to describe a situation where someone is working hard to meet a deadline, study for an exam, or complete a project. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate any kind of late-night effort or dedication towards a task.