burn the midnight oil meaning in Hindi

burn the midnight oil in SSC previous-year questions

1. SSC MTS 2024 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
   Burn the midnight oil

   ATo set things on fireBTo waste timeCTo work late into the nightDTo sleep early
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: C) To work late into the night

   Correct answer: To work late into the night
   Explanation:
   • The idiom "burn the midnight oil" means to work late into the night, especially studying or working hard.
   • Other options:
   • To set things on fire – literal meaning, not idiomatic
   • To waste time – opposite meaning
   • To sleep early – opposite meaning
   Correct sentence:
   "Burn the midnight oil" means to work late into the night.

2. SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Identify the meaning of the phrase highlighted in bold.
   In radiant secrecy, Sheela burned the midnight oil and prepared woolen sweaters for the beggars around the street.

   AWork hard for a long timeBWork for a few minutesCGo early to bedDWake up very early
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) Work hard for a long time

   "Burn the midnight oil" means to work very hard or study late into the night; to put in long hours of effort, often working past midnight. It originates from the era when oil lamps were used for light — burning oil at midnight implied working through the night. Correct meaning: "Work hard for a long time." (Not Answered by candidate.)

3. SSC CPO 2025 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Choose the correct meaning of the idiom 'burned the midnight oil' as used in the sentence below:
   Jonathan and his friends burned the midnight oil to complete their final project.

   AWorked late at nightBSlept wellCCelebratedDLit candles
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) Worked late at night

   The correct answer is: Worked late at night
   'Burn the midnight oil' means to stay up and work late into the night. The phrase originates from the time when people used oil lamps for light, and burning oil at midnight meant working very late.
   In the sentence, Jonathan and his friends stayed up late to complete their project.
   Why other options are wrong:
   Option 2 — Slept well: Opposite of the idiom's meaning — burning the midnight oil means NOT sleeping.
   Option 3 — Celebrated: Has nothing to do with working late.
   Option 4 — Lit candles: This is the literal interpretation; the idiom is purely figurative.
   Correct answer: Option 1 — Worked late at night

4. SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) Idioms & Phrases

   In the following sentence, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which gives the correct meaning of the underlined idiom or phrase.
   The young professor was known to burn the midnight oil to finish his research papers.

   ATo set fire to his laboratory at nightBTo use an expensive type of lampCTo waste time doing nothing importantDTo stay up very late at night working
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: D) To stay up very late at night working

   Meaning: burn the midnight oil = to work or study late into the night *(देर रात तक जागकर काम करना)*.
   The professor stayed up late to finish his research papers.
   
   Origin.
   Before electric light, working after dark meant burning an oil lamp — anyone still at work at midnight was literally burning oil at midnight.
   
   Why the others are wrong.
   #B To set fire to his laboratory at night *(रात में प्रयोगशाला में आग लगाना)* — a literal reading of *burn*; the idiom has nothing to do with fire.
   #B To use an expensive type of lamp *(महँगा दीपक इस्तेमाल करना)* — literal reading of *oil*; the lamp is only the origin of the phrase.
   #B To waste time doing nothing important *(समय बर्बाद करना)* — that is *to id

5. SSC CPO 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
   To burn the midnight oil

   ATo stay up late working or studyingBTo be relaxed and calmCTo waste timeDTo overthink
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: A) To stay up late working or studying

   The most appropriate meaning of the given idiom "To burn the midnight oil" is: To stay up late working or studying.
   This idiom is used to describe the act of working or studying late into the night, often implying dedication, diligence, or hard work.

6. SSC CPO 2023 T-1 Idioms & Phrases

   Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
   Students often burn the midnight oil to qualify for competitive examinations.

   Awant to be at a place full of lightBwork until late at nightCput the things on fire at nightDsleep well
   Answer & explanation

   Answer: B) work until late at night

   The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom "burn the midnight oil" in the given sentence is: work until late at night
   Explanation:
   The idiom "burn the midnight oil" means to work late into the night, especially on a task that requires focused attention or effort. In the context of the sentence, it suggests that students are studying or working diligently late into the night to prepare for competitive examinations.

Examples

• “Students often burn the midnight oil before exams.”

burn the midnight oil – questions

What is the meaning of burn the midnight oil in Hindi?

burn the midnight oil means “देर रात तक मेहनत करना” in Hindi. In English: To work or study late into the night

What are the synonyms of burn the midnight oil?

Synonyms of burn the midnight oil: work late, stay up studying, toil at night.

What is the opposite of burn the midnight oil?

Antonyms of burn the midnight oil: rest early, sleep early.

Has burn the midnight oil been asked in SSC exams?

Yes – burn the midnight oil has been asked 8 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level), SSC CHSL 2025 T-1, SSC CPO 2025 T-1, SSC MTS 2024, SSC CPO 2023 T-1, SSC Delhi Police HCM 2022, SSC CHSL 2020 T-1.

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