1. to overwork yourself mentally or physically and until you’re exhausted

1. Mrs. Millan goes to college during the day and works in a restaurant at night. She’s burning the candle at both ends.

2. Marie works all day and goes to school every evening, then she has to get up early in order to study. She’s wearing herself out. She’s burning the candle at both ends.

3. You really burn the candle at both ends. You’ve got to start taking it easy or you’ll end up in the hospital.