to [break] {one's} (stones|balls)

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The idiom "burn the midnight oil" has its origins in the literal act of burning oil lamps or candles to work late into the night. Before the advent of electric lighting, people relied on oil lamps for illumination. Those who continued working long after sunset would need to burn oil late into the night to extend their working hours. Over time, this literal practice evolved into a metaphorical expression, signifying the act of working or studying late into the night to meet deadlines or complete tasks.

What is the origin of the idiom "burn the midnight oil" and when to use it?

to [burn] the midnight oil

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to [fall] over backward

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to [give] {one's} eye teeth

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The origin of the idiom "go to town" dates back to the early 19th century and has its roots in American English. The exact origin is unclear, but it likely emerged from the idea of going to a town or city to engage in various activities or take advantage of the amenities and opportunities available there. It can be used in professional settings, such as encouraging a colleague to go to town on a project, meaning to put in maximum effort and attention to detail.

What is the origin of the idiom "go to town" and when to use it?

to [go] to town

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The origin of this idiom comes from the biblical story of Jesus, where he says, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." The phrase "move mountains" has since been used to describe any situation where a seemingly impossible task is accomplished through extraordinary effort.

What is the origin of the idiom "move mountains" and when to use it?

to [move] mountains

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a hundred and ten percent

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to bend {one's} (mind|thoughts|efforts) to {do sth}

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYmVuZCBvbmUncyBtaW5kIHRvIGRvIHN0aA&hash=b79efaccf7cf4d5c27bdc9376df6f521dcc6a096&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

blood, sweat, and tears

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Ymxvb2QsIHN3ZWF0LCBhbmQgdGVhcnM&hash=70eaf221edec27a2528b19a58bc1e237e9877c04&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

elbow grease

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The idiom "break one's neck" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. Back then, horse racing was a very popular sport, and it was not rare for riders to break their necks in accidents. So, the idiom might have come from this situation, with its literal meaning of causing a neck injury eventually changing to mean rushing or trying too hard. This idiom is typically used in informal contexts, often in spoken language, to say that someone is working very hard or rushing to achieve something.

What is the origin of the idiom "break one's neck" and when to use it?

to [break] {one's} neck

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The idiom "push the envelope" originated in aviation, where it referred to testing the limits of an aircraft's performance. Test pilots pushed against these limits in daring maneuvers. Over time, the phrase expanded beyond aviation, symbolizing pushing boundaries or taking risks in different areas like technology and art. It's now widely used as a metaphor for innovation and pushing the limits of what's known or accepted.

What is the origin of the idiom "push the envelope" and when to use it?

to [push] the envelope

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to [break] the back of the beast

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYnJlYWsgdGhlIGJhY2sgb2YgdGhlIGJlYXN0&hash=ad821c30038f7a9163ce1bf20fea2c9f2c06abd2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

Explore English idioms that relate to making great efforts, including "burn the midnight oil" and "elbow grease".

Haciendo Grandes Esfuerzos

Modismos ingleses para "Hacer grandes esfuerzos"

Making Great Efforts

English Idioms for "Making Great Efforts"