hold a candle

hold a candle
Meaning
To hold a candle for means to aid or assist. The expression 'he can't hold a candle to' expresses the opinion that someone (he) compares poorly with another person and isn't competent or worthy even to hold the light for him.
Origin
Apprentices used to be expected to hold the candle so that more experienced workmen were able to see what they were doing.

Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • hold\ a\ candle\ to — • hold a candle to • hold a stick to v. phr. To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. a trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • hold a candle to — phrasal : to qualify for comparison with asserted that no wrestler could hold a candle to the current champion * * * hold a candle to : to be on the same level as or as good as (something or someone) used in negative statements The new movie… …   Useful english dictionary

  • hold a candle to — also[hold a stick to] {v. phr.} To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. A trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those of 50… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hold a candle to — also[hold a stick to] {v. phr.} To be fit to be compared with; be in the same class with. A trite phrase used in negative, interrogative, and conditional sentences. * /Henry thought that no modern ball club could hold a candle to those of 50… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hold a candle — verb To compare; to be even remotely of the same quality, skill, etc. as another. The old computer just doesnt hold a candle to the latest models …   Wiktionary

  • hold a candle — do as well, compare with, measure up    The Buick is nice, but it can t hold a candle to the Cadillac …   English idioms

  • hold a candle to — be in the same class or level with (used with a negative usually), can be compared with As far as good service goes that restaurant can t hold a candle to the one that I usually go to …   Idioms and examples

  • hold a candle to — be equal to, be comparable to; hold one s own against, do as well as …   English contemporary dictionary

  • hold a candle to — phrasal to qualify for comparison with …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hold the candle — assist, serve …   English contemporary dictionary

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