I had a short chat with a guy at work and he asked how i was and i said 'fine,just tired' and he said 'was you burning the candle at both ends?'what did he mean by that?i never heard that before?
2006-12-07 04:09:31 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Friends
Staying up late, getting up early. Burning a candle for light at both times of day.
2006-12-07 04:12:40 · answer #1 · answered by the dougal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a phrase meaning overly busy.
Imagine holding a candle sideways and lighting both ends, just for some extra light. What do you do? You can't put it in a holder or one end will go out. You can't set it down without burning something. You are stuck with the forever job of holding it to keep it lit.
This analogy is for those who pile on extra work for a little extra something done and wearing themselves out doing it.
2006-12-07 12:17:41 · answer #2 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"burn the candle at both ends"
Definition: work or play too hard without sleep
Explanation: Usually used when talking about extreme efforts
Examples: He has been burning the candle at both ends with his work and his studies. That is why he became sick. - Be careful not to burn the candle at both ends, otherwise you'll eventually get ill.
2006-12-07 12:12:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means it burns brighter but faster, as in you're taking on too many tasks at once that make you look as though you are wonder woman but in the end you are just tired and worn out. An example would be a working woman who has to go home to a family and make the meals and clean or even someone who goes to school all day and then parties at night.
2006-12-07 12:15:59 · answer #4 · answered by M&M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He meant you are working very hard. If you study and work, it could mean that you are spending lots of time on both. Burning the candle at both ends means overworking as well.
2006-12-07 12:20:38 · answer #5 · answered by foxiee_chic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That your doing to much- A candle that burns at both ends will go out quickly-get it?
2006-12-07 12:14:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its just a figure of speech. Like asking if you stayed out late and got up early. He's trying to figure you out and ask if you are a late night owl looking to have a good time or an in bed early type shrew.
2006-12-07 12:13:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jamie M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol, it's wasn't a sexual comment. It means that you are over working yourself.
If you burn a candle at both ends, it burns out quicker.
LOL...girl I wanna party with you
2006-12-07 12:12:40 · answer #8 · answered by Jumper 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I THINK THAT MEANS THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH...IF YOU BURNED A CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS, IT WILL BURN OUT QUICKER...
2006-12-07 12:13:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that means working really hard or trying to do multiple stuff at a time or something sexual but if he's at your work he's probubly saying over work so he wouldnt get a sexual harrasmetn suit
2006-12-07 12:13:48 · answer #10 · answered by Jaarme J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋