staying up late
Burning midnight oil
Staying up late means remaining awake past one's usual bedtime or into the late night hours.
The phrase often implies a choice rather than necessity—We stayed up late watching movies—though it can describe any delayed sleep: The baby kept us up late.
Staying up late carries associations with leisure, youth, and mild rebellion against routine.
- wakefulnessState of being conscious
- sleeplessnessInability to rest
- night owlOne who stays late
- burning the midnight oilWorking very late
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
can't sleep · alert · second wind · overstay · binge-watching · doom scrolling · gaming · partying · caregiving · night shift · curiosity · studying · inspiration · deadlines · stress · hobbies · sleep deprivation · celebrations
- bad habitssmoking, drinking, lying, swearing, gossiping
- sleepoversleeping bag, sleeping bags, pajamas, pillow fight, slumber party
- nighttimemidnight, nightfall, night sky, nighttime, starry sky
- teen behavioreye rolling, back talk, backtalk, door slamming, moodiness