Question

What does the idiom ‘Burn the midnight oil’ mean?

• A. To waste fuel
• B. To work late into the night
• C. To cook food at night
• D. To light candles

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The idiom 'Burn the midnight oil' means 'To work late into the night'. This idiom originates from the days before electric lighting, when people used oil lamps for light, especially when they stayed up late at night to read, write, or study. The phrase figuratively refers to working very late hours, often past midnight, to accomplish a task.

Understanding idioms involves recognizing that their meanings cannot typically be deduced from the literal meanings of their individual words. In the case of this idiom:

1. To waste fuel: This is not the correct interpretation, as the emphasis is on working late, not wasting resources.
2. To work late into the night: This is the correct meaning of the idiom, as it clearly captures the essence of staying up late for work-related purposes.
3. To cook food at night: This is incorrect because the idiom does not relate to cooking or food preparation.
4. To light candles: Although this may be associated with using light sources at night, it does not convey the effort of working late, which is the crux of the idiomatic expression.