Question

Difficulty: EasyIdioms and Idiomatic Expressions

To prepare thoroughly for her upcoming examination, Amina decided to burn the midnight oil every night. What is the meaning of the expression *burn the midnight oil* in this context?

  1. To study or work late into the nightAnswer
  2. B
    To light an oil lamp during dark hours
  3. C
    To waste financial resources on unnecessary items
  4. D
    To go to bed very early in the evening

Answer

To study or work late into the night
The idiomatic expression 'burn the midnight oil' means to stay up late reading, studying, or working. In the context of exam preparation, it highlights extra effort spent studying late into the night.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence
Amina is preparing for an upcoming examination and needs extra preparation time.
Contextual clues indicate an effort to achieve academic success through dedicated study.
2
Identify the figurative meaning of the idiom
The phrase 'burn the midnight oil' historically refers to using oil lamps to read or work past bedtime, which figuratively means studying or working late into the night.
Idioms cannot be understood by taking their individual words literally; their established figurative meaning must be applied.

Key Concept

Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
Estimated Time:45s
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