phrases using “burn”

Burn the midnight oil

To work very late

“Dr. Miyake has been burning the midnight oil to get the lab tests finished by the deadline.”

Note: A reference to an era when oil lamps were used.

Get burned

To get used or hurt, taken advantage of

“Yano-san got burned; he conducted the entire research project but his professor won the award for it.”

Burn a copy

To copy printed or recorded material

“The producer hasn't heard the new songs so would you please burn her a copy of the CD?”

Burn up the road

To travel intensively

“Ando-san has been burning up the road trying to find new investors for her new start-up company.”

Note: A similar phrase is “burn up the telephone lines".

Do a slow burn

To grow slowly angry

“Yamamoto-san did a slow burn when she learned that the client had used her designs without her permission.”