burns the candle at both ends
Works to exhaustion
To burn the candle at both ends is to exhaust yourself by working too hard or staying up too late while rising early—depleting energy from both directions at once.
The image is of a candle consumed twice as fast, leaving nothing.
She's been burning the candle at both ends trying to finish her thesis while working full-time.
- wearinessState of being drained
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- dead on feetExtremely fatigued while standing
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- second windRenewed energy after fatigue
stress · depletion · overcommitment · tiredness · imbalance · anxiety · burnout · hustle culture · overwork · midnight oil · multitasking · perfectionism · illness · work-life balance · overwhelm · time management · irritability · pressure
burns the candle at both endstakes it easy
Remains calm, unhurried
lounges · idles · recharges · recuperates · winds down
burns the candle at both endserrs on the side of caution
Acts with excessive prudence
burned, burning, burner, burners, candle, candles, candlelight, candlestick