hold a candle to, not



hold a candle to, not

Also, not fit to or cannot hold a candle to. Be inferior to someone or something, as in This hotel can't hold a candle to the Palace, or This new friend of his is not fit to hold a candle to his former buddies. This expression was already a proverb in John Heywood's collection of 1546 and alludes to holding a candle to provide light for someone, at that time considered a menial chore.
See also: candle, hold, not

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Leonalee-O-nə (English), LE-o-nah (German)English, German
Zerachiel-Judeo-Christian Legend
Ursa-Late Roman
Dove-English
Gerard['dʒera:d]
RandellRAN-dəlEnglish