Burning the candle at both ends origin

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The idiom was translated from French in This means that you were causing your money to disappear. This is because candles were expensive and burning them cost money. If you were burning the candle at both ends, you were being wasteful. You would also have to hold the candle horizontally, which leads to the wax dripping off and being wasted. The idiom has since taken on a different meaning.

Burning the candle at both ends origin

Add to word list Add to word list. Work, working and the workplace. Translations of burn the candle at both ends in Chinese Traditional. See more. Need a translator? Translator tool. Browse burn someone at the stake phrase. Word of the Day pull strings. Read More. March 18, To top. English Translations. Sign up for free and get access to exclusive content:.

The 'both ends' then weren't the ends of the day but were a literal reference to the two ends of a candle. To burn the candle at both ends has changed meaning since its inception in the 18th century.

Our current understanding of this phrase is of a life lived frenetically and unsustainably - working or enjoying oneself late into the night only to begin again early the next day. It didn't having that meaning when it was first coined in the 18th century. The 'both ends' then weren't the ends of the day but were a literal reference to the two ends of a candle. Candles were useful and valuable see not worth the candle and the notion of waste suggested by lighting both ends at once implied reckless waste. This thought may well have been accentuated by the fact that candles may only be lit at both ends when held horizontally, which would cause them to drip and burn out quickly. Nathan Bailey defined the term in his Dictionarium Britannicum , , by which time the phrase had already been given a figurative interpretation and the 'both ends' were a husband and wife:.

Our current understanding of this phrase is of a life lived frenetically and unsustainably - working or enjoying oneself late into the night only to begin again early the next day. It didn't having that meaning when it was first coined in the 18th century. The 'both ends' then weren't the ends of the day but were a literal reference to the two ends of a candle. Candles were useful and valuable see not worth the candle and the notion of waste suggested by lighting both ends at once implied reckless waste. This thought may well have been accentuated by the fact that candles may only be lit at both ends when held horizontally, which would cause them to drip and burn out quickly. Nathan Bailey defined the term in his Dictionarium Britannicum , , by which time the phrase had already been given a figurative interpretation and the 'both ends' were a husband and wife:. Said when Husband and Wife are both Spendthrifts. Like not worth the candle , the phrase derives from an earlier French version. By Gary Martin. Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website.

Burning the candle at both ends origin

The phrase "burn the candle at both ends" is a popular idiom used to describe a situation where someone works too hard or tries too much at once. This idiom is often used to describe someone working long hours, juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply trying to do too much in a short time. The imagery of the idiom suggests that one is using up all of their energy or resources, similar to how a candle would burn out quickly if it were lit at both ends. The idiom has a single primary meaning, which relates to exhausting oneself by doing too much work or taking on too many responsibilities.

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Sign up now or Log in. English—German German—English. My word lists. If you were burning the candle at both ends, you were being wasteful. Share your opinions 2 Opinions. Translator tool. Your feedback will be reviewed. What's on your mind? March 18, The idiom was translated from French in You would also have to hold the candle horizontally, which leads to the wax dripping off and being wasted.

Forget doing it or forget to do it?

Save my name, e-mail, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Essential American English. English—French French—English. Choose a dictionary. The candle became more of a figurative object, representing the hours of the day. Hidden categories: Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations Requests for translations into Dutch Requests for translations into Esperanto Requests for translations into Korean Requests for translations into Vietnamese. March 18, With the changes wrought by the age of electricity, the phrase changed as well. Bilingual Dictionaries. Burn the candle at both ends What's the meaning of the phrase 'Burn the candle at both ends'? Right where his hand is now. Word Lists. Share your opinions 2 Opinions. To burn the candle at both ends has changed meaning since its inception in the 18th century. Ach, Kindchen!