We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "Burn the Candle at Both Ends" Mean?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 14,558
Share

To burn the candle at both ends is an expression that implies that an individual is attempting to live at a pace that places a great deal of strain on his or her physical and emotional resources. The fear associated with this type of activity has to do with the fact that burning the candle at both ends implies that the individual is rapidly using up those resources without taking the time to replenish them. As a result, there is some concern that this type of activity will eventually result in collapse and possibly permanent damage from which the individual will never fully recover.

This particular English saying is often traced back to the early years of the 18th century, and had to do with waste. Choosing to burn the candle at both ends as a means of generating more light right now would in fact produce a short-term effect that many would find desirable. At the same time, this choice to burn both ends of the candle simultaneously would also mean the candle was consumed faster, ultimately leaving the user in darkness. Typically, choosing to burn the candle at both ends was considered a wasteful and short-lived effort that ultimately left an individual with no way to enjoy light once the sun had set at the end of the day.

Today, choosing to burn the candle at both ends still implies making unwise use of limited resources, while not taking the time to renew those resources. For example, an individual who is employed full-time and chooses to go out every night after work until the early hours of the morning may be having a wonderful time, but fails to get the rest that the mind and body needs in order to function at optimum levels. Over time, this type of behavior can have an adverse effect on job performance as well as create some issues with family members and others in the social circle. At some point, the individual reaches a state of being physically and emotionally exhausted, and cannot continue to function without making some lifestyle changes. By choosing to burn the candle at both ends, the individual has a great deal of fun in the short-term, but ultimately pays a price in the form of being unable to maintain work and business relationships.

By choosing not to burn the candle at both ends, an individual can still enjoy work and recreational activities that provide pleasure, while avoiding the possibility of burnout and damaging relationships. Deciding to set limits on entertainment after work, such as confining attendance at parties or similar events to a few times each week, getting adequate rest, and taking the time for consuming nutritional meals makes it possible to maintain good physical and mental health while still enjoying life. This more balanced approach to living will also increase the chances of making the most of work and relationships for many more years.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including Language & Humanities, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.
Discussion Comments
By Rotergirl — On Mar 11, 2014

Another one of our delightful English idioms that has a strikingly appropriate meaning. It's worthy of Shakespeare himself.

It's along the same lines as "burning the midnight oil," which usually means working very hard, with some risk of exhaustion.

Thrill seekers are often said to burn the candle at both ends, since they are taking risks (like burning one's fingers if one is holding the candle too long)!

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.