Very Busy People 'Burn the Candle at Both Ends'
2021-02-07
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language a little more closely.
3Often, our expressions come from everyday objects.
4Today we talk about a candle.
5Sometimes we use candles to create a feeling of calm or some other sort of feeling.
6We call that an ambiance.
7For example, dinner by candlelight is a lot more romantic than dinner under fluorescent lights.
8Often candles smell nice, too.
9We can buy our favorite scents, or kinds of smells.
10This makes them even more calming.
11But candles are useful as well.
12If the electricity goes out, candles can light a dark night.
13In the days before electricity, candles were a main source of light for work.
14And that brings us to today's expression - "to burn the candle at both ends."
15This expression is used several ways.
16Usually, it means that we are busy with work but not always.
17Let's say I spent all of last year working on two very important goals at the same time.
18Friends could say that I burned my candle at both ends for a whole year.
19Finally, I got burned out, which means I was really tired.
20If we use up all of our energy by leading a busy life with work, friends, and seemingly endless activities, we can say we are burning the candle at both ends.
21We are busy from early morning until late at night.
22Here is another example.
23Ever since starting a new job and getting her master's degree, my friend Annette has been burning the candle at both ends. She has been doing a lot.
24The expression also appears in creative forms of writing.
25In her poem, "Figs from Thistles: First Fig," poet Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote about it this way:
26My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light!
27Now, let's hear how these two friends use the expression in this short exchange.
28Where have you been? I haven't talked to you weeks!
29I know. Sorry about that. I got a book deal last month. So, I've been kind of busy with that.
30Congratulations. But I thought you were still in school?
31I am. That's why I've been burning the candle at both ends for the past...what month is it?
32It's February. Wow! You have been busy.
33At VOA Learning English, we work really hard to bring you informative programs.
34Sometimes we even burn the candle at both the ends to get the job done.
35Thankfully, though...not every week!
36And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
37Until next time...I'm Anna Matteo!
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language a little more closely. 3Often, our expressions come from everyday objects. 4Today we talk about a candle. Sometimes we use candles to create a feeling of calm or some other sort of feeling. We call that an ambiance. For example, dinner by candlelight is a lot more romantic than dinner under fluorescent lights. 5Often candles smell nice, too. We can buy our favorite scents, or kinds of smells. This makes them even more calming. 6But candles are useful as well. If the electricity goes out, candles can light a dark night. In the days before electricity, candles were a main source of light for work. 7And that brings us to today's expression - "to burn the candle at both ends." 8This expression is used several ways. 9Usually, it means that we are busy with work but not always. Let's say I spent all of last year working on two very important goals at the same time. Friends could say that I burned my candle at both ends for a whole year. Finally, I got burned out, which means I was really tired. 10If we use up all of our energy by leading a busy life with work, friends, and seemingly endless activities, we can say we are burning the candle at both ends. We are busy from early morning until late at night. 11Here is another example. Ever since starting a new job and getting her master's degree, my friend Annette has been burning the candle at both ends. She has been doing a lot. 12The expression also appears in creative forms of writing. 13In her poem, "Figs from Thistles: First Fig," poet Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote about it this way: 14My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light! 15Now, let's hear how these two friends use the expression in this short exchange. 16Where have you been? I haven't talked to you weeks! 17I know. Sorry about that. I got a book deal last month. So, I've been kind of busy with that. 18Congratulations. But I thought you were still in school? 19I am. That's why I've been burning the candle at both ends for the past...what month is it? 20It's February. Wow! You have been busy. 21At VOA Learning English, we work really hard to bring you informative programs. Sometimes we even burn the candle at both the ends to get the job done. Thankfully, though...not every week! 22And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. 23Until next time...I'm Anna Matteo! 24Anna Matteo wrote this for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor. 25_______________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27romantic -adj. related to or involving a feeling of love 28fluorescent lights -n. lights that get bright when electricity passes through a tube filled with gas 29source -n. the cause of something 30master's degree -n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree