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The phrase originates from a short poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which reads:
My candle burns at both ends,
It will not last the night.
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends,
It gives a lovely light.
New answer: This poem draws a parallel between the burning of a candle and activity in the life of a person. Just as a candle that is burned at both ends will expire quickly, a person who both rises early and stays up late working will often be exhausted. However, that person will accomplish so much, and with such passion, that their life may serve as a light to themselves and the rest of humanity.
Old answer: Basically, its meaning centers around the fact that if you burn a candle at both ends, while the light it gives forth will be brighter, it also won't last as long. An alternate interpretation would be that if you burn a candle at both ends of the day - that is to say, both early in the morning, and late into the night - it wouldn't last as long either.
So if you were to say of someone that he burns his candle at both ends, you would mean that he is perhaps doing too much at once, not getting enough sleep, or living wildly but destructively.
Burning ones candle at both ends is often used about someone who's working too hard with too many things, and as a consequence has to stop before he's "done". It typically means that one is staying up too late at night and getting up too early in the morning in an attempt to get more things done.
A candle is intended to be burned from one end to the other only. "To burn the candle at both ends" implies that someone is simultaneously doing two things which are inconsistent or in conflict with each other (such as a married person carrying on a secret affair).
The beauty of this metaphor is the visual image of a candle burning from both ends, consuming itself as it burns; and the danger of being burned. Burning the candle at both ends implies that the two burning ends will eventually meet ("the truth will out"), in fact more quickly than one end alone burning, and in doing so, the "double ended burner" is warned that THEY will be the one who is burned from engaging in this duplicity.
Well, if you were to light a candle at both ends it would burn down in half the time compared to one that's only burning at one end. If you consider the burn time you'd get from the ordinarily lit candle as normal, then double lit candle would go out prematurely.
Burning The Candle At Both Ends - working for many hours without getting enough rest ...
You are burning the candle at both ends when you are working long hours without resting. Example: "Would you like to go to a party tonight?" Reply: "I can't. I'm way too tired. I've been burning the candle at both ends all week."
Your energy is burning down, and you are growing more and more tired, when you are burning the candle at both ends. Example: "Are you still working day and night?" Reply "Not anymore. Now I work nine hours a day, and I get a good sleep almost every night. No more burning the candle at both ends."
Burning the candle at both ends is not a healthy life because you are working from early to late and not getting enough rest. Example: "Ever since this new project started I have been burning the candle at both ends. I can't take much more of it."
people talk about 'burning the candle at both ends' when they mean someone is working too hard, i.e. like a candle that burns from both ends you will burn out quickly.
Saying that someone shouldn't or can't burn a candle at both ends means that they shouldn't exhaust themselves by working too hard.
It means one is doing too much, working too much and not taking proper care of ones self.
What else can I help you with?
What does burn the candle at three ends mean?
A candle does not have three ends. I think you mean "burn the candle at both ends," which means to take on far more responsibility than you should and be working double-time to keep up.
What word mean both signify and ignorable?
The word "connotation" can mean both "signify" in terms of implied meaning, and "ignorable" in the sense that it is not the explicit definition of a word.
Is the line Summer had both arms stretched out beckoning us an idiom?
No because the meaning is obvious. An idiom is something that makes no sense until someone explains it. This is a metaphor, comparing summer to someone holding out their arms and beckoning you.
What candle burns longer a red candle or a green candle?
Umm actually both candles are the same unless one is smaller or bigger than the other but the burn both the same amount of time. No! Neither candles. They both burn shorter! This was a trick question told by my tour guide...There were two hints: It does not matter what color the candles are, and 2. There is a second meaning in one of the words.
Would you say The candle is lighted or The candle is lit?
Both "The candle is lighted" and "The candle is lit" are correct ways to convey that the candle is currently giving off light. "Lit" is more commonly used in spoken English.
What is the snyoym for implied idea?
The synonym for "implied idea" is "implicit notion." Both terms refer to an underlying concept or meaning that is suggested rather than explicitly stated. Other possible synonyms include "inferred concept" or "underlying thought."
Are both stated and implied themes requires active reading?
To be engaged in active reading you will need to implore both stated and implied themes. That is what make the story interesting for the reader to add implied ideas
Is it possible to burn the candle at both ends?
Yes. The wick goes all accross the candle. You simply burn the bottom of the candle a little and the wick will stick if the bottom burns enough. So you lay the candle and stick it on a square object and light both ends of the candle.
What is the meaning behind the phrase "my candle burns at both ends" in the poem?
The phrase "my candle burns at both ends" in the poem suggests that the speaker is living a life of excess and intensity, pushing themselves to their limits in pursuit of their goals or desires. It conveys a sense of burning out quickly due to unsustainable behavior.
How is a pencil and a candle alike?
Both a pencil and a candle are cylindrical in shape and can be used for writing and creating marks. They both have a core material - graphite in a pencil and wax in a candle - that allows for application onto a surface.
How are ice and the wax of a candle alike?
Ice and the wax of a candle are both solids at room temperature. They can both change states, with ice melting into liquid water and candle wax melting into liquid wax when heated. Additionally, both ice and candle wax can be used to cool or absorb heat in various applications.
What is the meaning of the poem candle hat by billy Collins?
In "Candle Hat" by Billy Collins, the speaker describes a candle hat that provides both literal and metaphorical illumination. The poem reflects on the dual nature of light, both as a practical source of visibility and as a metaphor for enlightenment and understanding in life. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even in darkness, there is always a way to find light and guidance.
