“Burn the midnight oil” is an idiom commonly used in English to denote working late into the night. For IELTS candidates, mastering idiomatic expressions like this one can significantly enhance your band score in both the Writing and Speaking sections. In this article, we will explore the idiom in-depth, discuss its usage in the IELTS exam, and provide numerous examples and practice sentences.
Synonyms and Related Phrases
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Toil away /tɔɪl əˈweɪ/ (verb) – To work hard for long hours.
Sentence: She had to toil away at her project to meet the deadline.
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Burn the candle at both ends /bɜrn ðə ˈkændəl æt boʊθ ɛndz/ (idiom) – To expend energy in two pursuits.
Sentence: By trying to work and study simultaneously, he’s burning the candle at both ends.
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Pull an all-nighter /pʊl ən ɔl-naɪtər/ (noun) – To stay awake all night to work or study.
Sentence: I had to pull an all-nighter to finish my assignment.
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Work round the clock /wɜrk raʊnd ðə klɒk/ (verb) – To work continuously.
Sentence: The emergency team had to work round the clock to rescue the victims.
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Overwork /ˌoʊvərˈwɜrk/ (verb) – To work excessively.
Sentence: It’s important not to overwork yourself, as it can impact your health.
Analysis of “Burn the Midnight Oil”
Definition and Pronunciation
- Definition: The phrase “burn the midnight oil” means to stay up late working on a project or task.
- Pronunciation: /bɜrn ðə ˈmɪdnaɪt ɔɪl/
Usage in IELTS
In the context of IELTS, idiomatic expressions can add variety and depth to your language use, showing a higher-level command of English. They are especially useful in the Writing and Speaking sections.
Phrase Analysis and Examples
Sentence Examples
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“I had to burn the midnight oil to prepare for my IELTS exam.”
Explanation: This sentence shows the usage of the idiom in a context relevant to IELTS preparation.
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“Due to the tight deadline, the team had to burn the midnight oil to complete the project.”
Explanation: This contextualizes the idiom in a professional environment, demonstrating its versatility.
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“She often burns the midnight oil to keep up with her two jobs and studies.”
Explanation: This shows the idiom being used to describe someone’s regular habit.
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“They burnt the midnight oil finishing the annual report, ensuring everything was perfect.”
Explanation: This implies working late for perfection, highlighting dedication.
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“He decided to burn the midnight oil to revise all the material for his final exams.”
Explanation: This illustrates the use of the idiom in an academic setting.
Contextual Examples in IELTS Sections
Writing Task 2 (Essay)
Topic: Some people think that students should not have a part-time job while they study, while others believe it is beneficial. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Sample Sentence: “On the other hand, managing a job while studying often means students have to burn the midnight oil to keep up with both responsibilities, which could negatively impact their health.”
Speaking Part 3 (Discussion)
Question: Do you think the education system puts too much pressure on students?
Sample Answer: “Yes, the education system can be really demanding, requiring students to often burn the midnight oil to manage their assignments and prepare for exams.”
Combining Keywords
Combining “burn the midnight oil” with other related idiomatic expressions and phrases can further enrich your responses.
Example for Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a time when you had to stay up late at night.
Sample Response: “I vividly remember the time just before my final university exams. I had to burn the midnight oil almost every night. In fact, there were days when I was essentially burning the candle at both ends, juggling daytime lectures and nighttime studies. This intense period necessitated pulling several all-nighters to ensure I covered all the material comprehensively.”
Related Idioms and Phrases
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Against the clock – Working under a tight deadline.
Sentence: “With the deadline approaching, we were working against the clock to finish the project.”
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Up to the wee hours – Staying awake very late.
Sentence: “She was up to the wee hours working on her thesis.”
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In the dead of night – Very late at night.
Sentence: “I often find it easier to concentrate in the dead of night when it’s quiet.”
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Night owl – A person who is active late at night.
Sentence: “I’m naturally a night owl, so I find it easy to work late into the night.”
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Crack of dawn – Very early in the morning.
Sentence: “After working late, he woke up at the crack of dawn to continue his project.”
Conclusion
Mastering idioms like “burn the midnight oil” can significantly aid your IELTS preparation, making your language richer and more expressive. This idiom, along with its synonyms and related phrases, provides valuable tools to enhance both writing and speaking responses. Remember to practice using these phrases in various contexts to become comfortable with their application.
For more idioms and idiomatic phrases helpful for IELTS, check out common idioms and phrasal verbs useful for IELTS and how to use natural language in IELTS speaking.
By incorporating these idioms naturally in your responses, you will undoubtedly impress the examiners and boost your IELTS band score. Happy studying!