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pull an all-nighter
/pʊl ən ɔːl ˈnaɪtər/
stay up all night
I had to pull an all-nighter to finish my project before the deadline.
I stayed up all night to complete my project before the due date.
informal
To stay awake all night, typically to work on something urgent or to study.
Students often pull all-nighters before exams.
Students frequently stay up all night before exams.
The team pulled an all-nighter to meet the client's deadline.
The team stayed up all night to meet the client's deadline.
This phrase is commonly used in academic, professional, and social contexts to describe intense, overnight work or study sessions.
Collocations
pull an all-nighterstay up all night
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overuse
While useful, overusing this phrase can imply poor time management. Use it sparingly to emphasize genuine urgency.
Gold Rule
Context matters
This phrase is best used in informal settings. In formal writing or professional contexts, consider alternatives like 'worked through the night.'
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'pull' (to undertake a difficult task) and 'all-nighter' (a night spent awake). It became popular in the mid-20th century, particularly in student and work cultures.
Usage Notes
This phrase is informal and often used to describe a last-minute effort to complete a task. It can carry a sense of urgency or exhaustion.
Word Breakdown
pull
to undertake or endure
verban all-nighter
a night spent awake
noun phraseEnglish Dictionary