Burn the midnight oil

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lucubrate \Lu"cu*brate\, v. t. To elaborate, perfect, or compose, by night study or by laborious endeavor.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
v. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation" [syn: elaborate , expatiate , exposit , enlarge , flesh out , expand , expound , ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"to work at night," 1620s, from Latin lucubratus , past participle of lucubrare "to work by lamplight" (see lucubration ). Literally, "to work by artificial light," hence "to work laboriously."

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context rare English) To work diligently by artificial light; to study at night. 2 To work or write like a scholar.