Verb [edit]. to burn the midnight oil ‎(third-person singular simple present burns the midnight oil, present participle burning the midnight oil, simple past and past participle burned the midnight oil or burnt the midnight oil).( 1 idiomatic) To work studiously, especially late into the night.erb [edit]. to burn the midnight oil ‎(third-person singular simple present burns the midnight oil, present participle burning the midnight oil, simple past and past participle burned the midnight oil or burnt the midnight oil).