can't hold a candle to



can't hold a candle to someone

Fig. not [to be] equal to someone; unable to measure up to someone. (Also with cannot.) Mary can't hold a candle to Ann when it comes to athletics. As for singing, John can't hold a candle to Jane.
See also: candle, hold

somebody/something can't hold a candle to somebody/something else

also somebody/something doesn't hold a candle to somebody/something else
someone or something is not as good as someone or something else For Walter, basketball and football can't hold a candle to baseball.
Usage notes: sometimes used in the form something can hold a candle to something else: Not one of her drawings can hold a candle to yours.
See also: candle, hold

can't hold a candle to somebody/something

if someone or something cannot hold a candle to someone or something else, they are not as good as that other person or thing These pop bands that you hear nowadays can't hold a candle to the groups we used to listen to in the sixties.
See also: candle, hold

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
DaanDAH:NDutch
Hamo-Medieval English
Azuraa-ZHUR-ə, AZH-rəEnglish (Rare)
Ean-Manx
Manuelmah-NWEL (Spanish), man-oo-EL (Portuguese), MAHN-oo-el (German)Spanish, Portuguese, German, English, Italian, French, Romanian, Late Greek (Latinized)
Kayode-Western African, Yoruba