Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y

HOLD A CANDLE TO (SOMEONE), NOT

not equal to someone or smth.; when two persons or things are compared, the first one is clearly inferior to the second one
 HOLD A CANDLE TO (SOMEONE), NOT
1. This house doesn’t hold a candle to the one we looked at yesterday. The one we saw yesterday was practically twice the size and had much better light.
2. Marjorie’s cakes can’t hold a candle to Kate’s. Kate’s are light, fluffy and flavorful, and Marjorie’s are as heavy as lead.

Compare to: head and shoulders above (someone); run circles around (someone).


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