burn the candle at both the ends 字面意思是蜡烛两头烧，那么可想而知蜡烛很快就会烧尽，比喻过分地消耗精力或是财产，可以意为过度耗费精力，劳累过度，拼命工作，起早摸黑地干。

【例句】
They like to enjoy life and often burn the candle at both ends.
他们喜欢及时行乐，往往过度消耗精力。

Students are trying to burn the candle at both ends - they're not only studying, but most of them are working several jobs.
学生们不仅学习，大多数还打数份工，他们是在挥霍体力和精力。