hold a lit candle; make the most of the night
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesverb
to hold a lit candle
literaryA classical, literary phrase describing a physical action, often used as a metaphorical basis for the idiom.
Tā他
bǐng秉
zhú烛
yè夜
dú读
，
zhí直
zhì至
tiān天
míng明
。
He read by candlelight all night until dawn.
Gǔ古
rén人
cháng常
bǐng秉
zhú烛
ér而
yóu游
，
xiǎng享
shòu受
yè夜
sè色
。
Ancient people often held candles to stroll and enjoy the night.
verb
to burn the midnight oil; to work late into the night
literaryA metaphorical extension based on the image of holding a candle to extend working hours into the night. Used in slightly formal or literary contexts.
Wèi为
le了
wán完
chéng成
bào报
gào告
，
tā他
zuó昨
wǎn晚
bǐng秉
zhú烛
gōng工
zuò作
。
He worked late into the night last night to finish the report.
Xué学
zǐ子
bèi备
kǎo考
，
bǐng秉
zhú烛
kǔ苦
dú读
shì是
cháng常
shì事
。
For students preparing for exams, burning the midnight oil to study hard is common.