The popular phrase, burning the candle at both ends, now means “to live in an unsustainable way, being too busy, using too much energy and resources—especially in a foolish way, such as by staying active all night long”:
If this society keeps burning the candle at both ends, we will run out of natural resources.
Julio often burnt the candle at both ends, going to school all day and partying all night.
This phrase originated in the 17th century or earlier, when candles were more used than they are today. At that time, its meaning was a little different, referring to a husband and wife who both spent money too freely, putting their household at risk.
Burning a candle at both ends not only uses up the candle faster, but can also make a mess, or even cause destruction by fire—these connotations add depth to the phrase’s meaning and help explain its popularity of use as a warning or criticism.
Although the phrase was first used in print in English in 1918, by Edna St. Vincent Millay, it was originally translated, word-for-word from French, with the French version first appearing in 1611.